The frontrunner in Romania’s presidential election has pledged to end all support for Ukraine if elected.
Călin Georgescu, a far-right candidate who has expressed pro-Russian views, told the BBC he would prioritize “the Romanian people” over international commitments.
On Wednesday, the country’s intelligence services published declassified documents alleging “aggressive” Russian interference in the first round of the presidential polls.
But Georgescu, whose campaign has relied mostly on social media, rejected accusations of being “Moscow’s man” as propaganda.
“They can’t accept that the Romanian people finally said, ‘we want our life back, our country, our dignity’,” he said.
Romania, a NATO and EU member, has been a strong ally of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, providing military aid and serving as a critical route for Ukrainian grain exports.
Georgescu’s stance would mark a sharp break from Bucharest’s current policy. Asked by the BBC whether he would stand by EU political and military commitments to support Ukraine, the candidate was unambiguous.
"Zero. Everything stops. I have to take care just about my people. We have a lot of problems ourselves,” he said.
On Wednesday, the country’s intelligence services published declassified documents alleging “aggressive” Russian interference in the first round of the presidential polls.
But Georgescu, whose campaign has relied mostly on social media, rejected accusations of being “Moscow’s man” as propaganda.
“They can’t accept that the Romanian people finally said, ‘we want our life back, our country, our dignity’,” he said.
Romania, a NATO and EU member, has been a strong ally of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, providing military aid and serving as a critical route for Ukrainian grain exports.
‘Everything stops’
Georgescu’s stance would mark a sharp break from Bucharest’s current policy. Asked by the BBC whether he would stand by EU political and military commitments to support Ukraine, the candidate was unambiguous.
"Zero. Everything stops. I have to take care just about my people. We have a lot of problems ourselves,” he said.
The declassified intelligence documents published on Wednesday by the Romanian authorities portray a “highly organized” Russian-backed TikTok campaign supporting Georgescu.
Prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the alleged election interference, but no timeline for its conclusion has been announced.
Georgescu dismissed the accusations and denied any connections to Moscow. When asked about Vladimir Putin, he described the Russian president as a “patriot and a leader,” before adding: "But I am not a fan.”
Georgescu’s opponent, centrist ex-TV presenter Elena Lasconi, is campaigning on a pro-EU platform, which has resonated with some in urban areas like Bucharest, where thousands protested on Thursday in support of Romania’s ties to the rest of the continent.
Demonstrators waved EU flags, along with Romanian flags with holes cut in the middle—a symbol of opposition to communism that harks back to the country’s 1989 revolution.
“Talk of Russian influence is emotional for many,” Anca, a protester, told the BBC. “I see the long arm of Russia at work here.”
If elected, Georgescu would join the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia in expressing skepticism towards supporting Ukraine, potentially fracturing EU solidarity for Kyiv as tensions mount along NATO’s eastern flank.
Prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the alleged election interference, but no timeline for its conclusion has been announced.
Georgescu dismissed the accusations and denied any connections to Moscow. When asked about Vladimir Putin, he described the Russian president as a “patriot and a leader,” before adding: "But I am not a fan.”
Georgescu’s opponent, centrist ex-TV presenter Elena Lasconi, is campaigning on a pro-EU platform, which has resonated with some in urban areas like Bucharest, where thousands protested on Thursday in support of Romania’s ties to the rest of the continent.
Demonstrators waved EU flags, along with Romanian flags with holes cut in the middle—a symbol of opposition to communism that harks back to the country’s 1989 revolution.
“Talk of Russian influence is emotional for many,” Anca, a protester, told the BBC. “I see the long arm of Russia at work here.”
If elected, Georgescu would join the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia in expressing skepticism towards supporting Ukraine, potentially fracturing EU solidarity for Kyiv as tensions mount along NATO’s eastern flank.
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