Romania

Ukraine

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first official visit to neighboring Romania since the start of Russia's invasion to meet with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, Reuters reported on Oct. 10.

Ukraine, Romania: Zelensky Cements Deeper Cooperation With Romania

Turkey

Palau

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Russian Navy stopped a Turkish cargo vessel sailing under the flag of Palau, the Sukru Okan, and then boarded the vessel using a helicopter to conduct an inspection, Bloomberg reported Aug. 13. 

Ukraine, Russia: Russian Soldiers Board and Inspect Foreign Vessel Headed for Ukraine's Danube Ports

Russia struck Ukraine's port of Izmail on the Danube River, destroying grain warehouses and silos and forcing international ships to halt at the mouth of the river, Reuters reported on Aug. 2.

Russia, Ukraine: Russia Hits Ukrainian Port on Danube River in Retaliatory Strike

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca announced that he will submit his resignation on May 26 so the government coalition can appoint a new prime minister and Cabinet on May 29, Antena 3 reported on May 24.

Romania: Prime Minister to Resign on May 26 as Part of Coalition Agreement

Europe

Bulgaria

Croatia

The interior ministers of the European Union member states voted to include Croatia in the bloc's passport-free travel zone, the Schengen area, but Austria and the Netherlands blocked the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, Euronews reported Dec. 8.

EU: Bloc Includes Croatia in Schengen Area, Blocks Romania and Bulgaria

A draft bill released by Romania's finance ministry shows that the country's coalition government is planning to implement a series of tax adjustments in August, including higher excise duties on cigarettes and alcohol, Reuters reported July 5.

Romania: Government Plans Tax Hikes to Bolster Budget

European Disintegration

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis nominated acting Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca as Romania’s prime minister-designate after brokering a compromise between Romania’s largest political parties, the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD), Romania Insider reported Nov. 22.

Romania: Parties Strike Deal to Appoint Prime Minister, End Political Crisis

Poland

Security

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

In a press conference following a meeting of the Bucharest Nine (B9) group, the presidents of Romania and Poland called for a stronger NATO presence on the alliance’s eastern flank to counter Russia's destabilizing actions in the Black Sea region, Romania Insider reported May 10. 

Poland, Romania: Countries Call for Greater NATO Presence in Eastern Europe

Snapshots

Austria

Netherlands

An EU sign is seen at a Romanian border crossing.

Bulgaria and Romania have set out to join the EU's passport-free zone by the year's end, but Austrian and Dutch skepticism will likely keep delaying their membership and the associated economic benefits.

The Challenges Facing Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Bids

Belarus

A Polish soldier stands by anti-tank obstacles by the metal wall constructed at the Belarussian border in Bialowieza, Poland, on July 08, 2023. 

In Romania's case, Russian aggression is more likely to occur by accident. But in Poland, such aggression would have higher chance of escalation because it'd likely be by design.

Russia's Activities Near Romania and Poland Risk Sparking Another NATO Crisis

Assessments

The Romanian flag is waved above a teachers' protest in Bucharest, Romania, on June 9, 2023. 

Policy disputes over how to address the country's mounting economic issues will make it hard for Bucharest to quell growing protests, combat inflation and avoid EU sanctions.

Romania's Divided Government Struggles To Reduce Its Fiscal Deficit

Sweden

The Romanian and EU flags are seen at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in February 2017.

Pushback from other EU members is impeding Bucharest's bid to join the passport-free zone, which would have both economic and political consequences for the country.

The Risks of Romania's Protracted Accession to the EU's Schengen Area

Moldova

Power lines are seen on the outskirts of Balti, the second-largest city in Moldova, on Nov. 2, 2022. 

Energy

Russia’s gas cut-offs are making Moldova increasingly vulnerable, with widespread blackouts, rampant inflation and growing pro-Russian anti-government protests. 

Will Moldova Be the First To Fall in Russia’s Energy War on Europe?

Refugees from Ukraine walk at the Ukrainian-Romanian border in Siret on March 2, 2022. Though the war is creating significant social and security challenges for Romania that EU assistance will only partially mitigate, it is also leading to temporary political stability.

The Ukraine Conflict

Though the war is creating significant social and security challenges for Romania that EU assistance will only partially mitigate, it is also leading to temporary political stability.

Romania's Security and Social Challenges, and Political Benefits, From the Ukraine War

People take part in a protest against COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures in Bucharest, Romania, on Oct. 2, 2021.  

COVID-19

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The political crisis will make it hard for Bucharest to improve the country’s very low vaccination rate and absorb much-needed EU funding. 

The Fall of Romania’s Government Bodes Ill for Its COVID-19 Battle

United States

China

Czech Republic

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Hungary

A satellite image shows Europe at night.

EU: Regional Blocs

The New Silk Road

Divided EU Foreign Policies

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The move shows the White House remains committed to its security and economic engagements in the region, with an eye on countering China and Russia. 

The U.S. Ramps Up Financial Support to Central and Eastern Europe

Germany

United Kingdom

Brexit

Without the U.K.'s contributions, the bloc will have to make do with less, setting the stage for squabbles over spending.

The EU's Regional Blocs Butt Heads on the Budget

The popularity of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party if forcing opposition parties such as the party of Pawel Kukiz, shown here speaking to the press in Krakow on Sept. 4, into weighing alliances ahead of October's general elections.

Polish voters elect a new parliament this fall, while Romanians vote for president. The results could make it harder for Warsaw and Bucharest to cooperate with Brussels.

Elections in Poland and Romania, and What Will Follow for the EU

Serbia

Albania

Many of Eastern Europe's governments are lurching away from democracy, provoking pushback from civil society.

As governments in EU members like the Czech Republic, Romania and others run roughshod over the bloc's values, civil society groups are fighting to uphold the rule of law.

Eastern Europe Witnesses a Quiet Revolution

France

Belgium

Spain

Italy

Throughout Europe, the vote for the Continental parliament will have a bearing on domestic politics at home.

This month's European elections aren't just about sending new lawmakers to the EU Parliament -- they'll also alter the domestic landscape in countries from Poland to Spain.

Europe Faces a Continentwide Vote With National Implications

Romania is located in southeastern Europe, north of the Balkan Peninsula and on the western shore of the Black Sea. The Carpathian Mountains divide Romania into three parts. To the south is the Wallachian Plain, the core of contemporary Romania where its capital, Bucharest, and its old oil center, Ploiesti, are located. East of the Carpathians is the Moldavian Plain, where the city of Iasi sits, which is an important economic and cultural center. To the northwest of the Carpathians is Transylvania, a more rugged, hilly region.      None of the three parts are easy to defend. Transylvania was occupied by the Hungarians in several stages starting in the 11th century, and then fell under Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule. Wallachia and Moldavia were constant battlegrounds for the Ottomans, the Habsburgs and later the Russians.    After becoming a nation-state in the late 19th century, Romania had a precarious existence, balanced between foreign powers. Romania spent most of the 20th century trying to find its balance with monarchy, authoritarianism and democracy. During the Cold War, Romania was ruled by a Communist dictatorship loosely aligned with the Soviet Union. Like most of the former Soviet satellites, after the fall of communism, Romania aligned itself with NATO and the European Union.    The crisis in Ukraine has reignited Romania’s traditional fears of foreign aggression and its strategy to become more independent on energy. Bucharest is worried about events in neighboring Moldova, where the breakaway region of Transdniestria is under Russian influence, and in the Black Sea. As a country surrounded by large powers, Romania’s main geographic challenge is to remain united and limit the influence of foreigners.

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine, Romania: Zelensky Cements Deeper Cooperation With Romania

Ukraine, Russia: Russian Soldiers Board and Inspect Foreign Vessel Headed for Ukraine's Danube Ports

Russia, Ukraine: Russia Hits Ukrainian Port on Danube River in Retaliatory Strike

Romania: Prime Minister to Resign on May 26 as Part of Coalition Agreement

EU: Bloc Includes Croatia in Schengen Area, Blocks Romania and Bulgaria

Romania: Government Plans Tax Hikes to Bolster Budget

Romania: Parties Strike Deal to Appoint Prime Minister, End Political Crisis

Poland, Romania: Countries Call for Greater NATO Presence in Eastern Europe

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