Seven former US Ambassadors on Thursday praised Romania for protecting democracy ‘from Russian interference’ after pro-Western Nicusor Dan defeated a nationalist who was favored to win May 18 presidential elections.
“We extend our warmest wishes and heartfelt congratulations on your recent victory in the presidential elections. Your victory marks a significant moment in the history of Romania,” wrote the seven who served as ambassadors between 1994 and 2021.
“We commend Romania for conducting these elections freely and fairly, adhering to the highest international standards. Your victory is a testament to the strength and integrity of Romania’s democratic process,” the letter published Thursday read.
It came after the U.S. Embassy in Romania reacted to Dan’s win a full two days after the elections in a message that did not contain the usual diplomatic congratulations. US Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec retired this month and President Donald Trump immediately named a new ambassador, Darryl Nirenberg.
Members of President Donald Trump’s administration including Vice President JD Vance have been critical of Romania cancelling original elections last year over reports of Russian interference which changed the result. But Vance and others claimed it was a bid to keep out populist candidates, and it was widely believed they supported Dan’s rival, the MAGA-aligned George Simion.
“We look forward to working with Nicușor Dan, as President of Romania, and the new government, to advance our shared priorities, such as defense, energy and trade partnerships,” according to a brief message posted on his Facebook page.
Dan staged a stunning comeback to win the election against Euroskeptic George Simion with 53.6% of the vote to Simion’s 46.4%.
The Constitutional Court rejected a bid by Simion to overturn the election and validated the results on Thursday.
In an unprecedented move, the same seven former ambassadors sent a letter ahead of the runoff telling Romanians they faced a choice between “Putin and America” and warning that Russia was seeking to expand its influence, while Romania’s EU membership and alliance with the United States were at risk.
Here is the full text of the latest letter:
Dear President Elect Nicusor Dan,
We, the undersigned, are former US Ambassadors to Romania, Republicans and Democrats, from the Clinton Administration through the Trump Administration. We write not as official representatives of the US Government, nor in any other professional capacity, but as US citizens.
We extend our warmest wishes and heartfelt congratulations on your recent victory in the presidential elections. Your victory marks a significant moment in the history of Romania.
The friendship between the Romanian and American peoples has been a cornerstone of the relationship between our two countries and it continues to flourish. This bond is not only personal, but also strategic. The strategic partnership between the US and Romania has been instrumental in promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
We commend Romania for conducting these elections freely and fairly, adhering to the highest international standards. Your victory is a testament to the strength and integrity of Romania’s democratic process. A value shared by our two countries. Your election reflects a clear commitment of the Romanian people to NATO, the EU and a desire to strengthen the strategic partnership with the United States.
We commend Romania’s government and judiciary for protecting Romania’s electoral process from Russian interference. Vladimir Putin and Russian interference in Romania’s electoral process threatened all the progress Romania has made in the last thirty-five years since the revolution. Romanians understood the clear and present threat to Romania’s security, freedom and prosperity and rejected it. Romanians stood tall and had the courage to say “no” to Putin’s candidate.
We are confident that under your leadership the security and prosperity of all Romanians will be assured. The path ahead will be challenging as you focus on necessary essential reforms, combatting corruption and relaunching the economy so as to build a brighter future for all Romanians.
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Alfred Moses (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 1994–1997, appointed by President Bill Clinton)
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James Rosapepe (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 1998–2001, appointed by President Clinton)
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Michael Guest (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 2001–2004, appointed by President George W. Bush)
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Nicholas Taubman (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 2005–2008, appointed by President George W. Bush)
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Mark Gitenstein (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 2009–2012, appointed by President Barack Obama)
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Hans G. Klemm (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 2015–2019, appointed by President Obama)
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Adrian Zuckerman (U.S. Ambassador to Romania, 2019–2021, appointed by President Donald Trump)
Court decision to cancel election runoff saved ‘Romania from the Russians’-ex-US ambassador
