Spoken and unspoken truths about the relationship between Romania and Ukraine

Abstract

The present paper seeks to examine the nature of the international relations between
Romania and Ukraine (including the ties between the two peoples during the long periods
of time in which they did not exist as nation-states). Such an undertaking is essential today,
given that, in recent years, especially following the invasion of the Russian Federation in
Ukraine, social media platforms have been flooded with the Kremlin’s narratives aimed at
distorting the historical truth. Through sheer constant repetition, these narratives have gained
momentum and, in some cases, validation in the minds of both Romanians and Ukrainians.
Our analysis employs a combination of quantitative, qualitative, and descriptive research
methods, each essential for capturing the complexity of the current climate between the two
countries.
The main takeaway of this study is that, in the current geopolitical context, an independent
Ukrainian state is vital to Romania, serving as a safeguard against any hegemonic ambitions
at the mouth of the Danube. Ukraine functions as a genuine buffer state, not only for
Romania but also for other countries that are susceptible to hybrid forms of aggression. It is
the author’s opinion that only a deepened mutual understanding can foster stable and
dynamic cooperation, free from any suspicion, that must necessarily include sustained
efforts in the economic and military spheres, as well as in both cultural and scientific
exchange, without neglecting, of course, the sensitive issue of the Romanian minority living
in the historical territories that form part of present-day Ukraine.