Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Saturday said his country was not in danger of being attacked by Russia, seeking to reassure Romanians about national security in the wake of an espionage case.
The prime minister was responding to a question about a Romanian citizen who was arrested last week on charges of spying for Russia. A Russian diplomat has been declared a persona non grata and expelled by the foreign ministry. The man allegedly photographed NATO military sites in eastern Romania and handed them over to the Russian diplomat.
„Our country is very safe, we are NATO members. Russia will not attack Romania. It is a game, it is also a hybrid war,,” Mr Ciolacu said. “Ukraine is at war and the Republic of Moldova.has a hybrid war waged against it.… Romania is a safe country; we won’t enter any war, and Russia will certainly not attack Romania. We are ready,” he said at a press conference.
The prime minister said he had noticed Russia’s concerns about the fact 3,000 people are working around the clock to build a highway in Romania’s northeast Moldova region, which borders the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
„Together with Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu I noted that Russia is concerned that a company with 3,000 employees is building (this) highway… But I am glad to keep our word and building this … highway.”
The prime minister made the comments during a visit to another highway construction site in southwest Romania.
He spoke after a Romanian citizen was remanded in custody on Thursday and charged with treason. DIICOT prosecutors said the unnamed man sent images of Romanian or NATO military objectives near Tulcea, in eastern Romania and also images of a military convoy moving towards Ukraine to the Russian Embassy in Bucharest.
Premierul Ciolacu: Rusia nu va ataca România. Suntem pregătiți
