President Klaus Iohannis called Russia “an aggressor state” after meeting his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a visit to the country.
” Romania’s message, as a neighboring state and with the longest border among the European Union and NATO supports Ukraine. It is clear… and must be understood by our partners: no matter how much Moscow tries to justify its actions, Russia is an aggressor state, and violated the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine with force and tried to annul its independence, which violates the UN Charter,” the Romanian president said on Tuesday.
“Ukraine is the victim of Russian aggression. All the negative effects of this aggression at the global level are the direct consequence of its actions which are contrary to international law. The international community has the duty to support Ukraine to reject the aggression and to win this war for the liberation of the country,” he said.
President Iohannis is on a tour of South America and will also visit Chile and Argentina. It is the first tour of South America by a Romanian president in the last 30 years. Iohannis aims to revive trade, commercial links as well as cooperation in culture, IT and other fields.
In his remarks, Iohannis said his country would continue to „unwaveringly” support Ukraine, pointing out that backing Ukraine’s security, is in turn support for the security of Romania and its citizens.
Brazilian President da Silva also denounced the “violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity” after facing criticism for remarks he made over the weekend about Russia’s invasion of the country.
The leftist leader, however, doubled down on his call for mediation in the conflict.
The president said he discussed the consequences of the war in multiple ways, from the situation of refugees to the energy or food crisis with his counterpart.
Discussions also focused on the accession of both countries to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Iohannis has invited President Lula da Silva to visit Romania.
