Romanian MEP Issues Threat Against Zelensky Over Parliament Speech

Romanian Member of European Parliament (MEP) Diana Sosoaca has issued a stark warning to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, threatening to physically harm him if he attempts to address the Romanian Parliament. Sosoaca, a prominent figure in Romania’s far-right S.O.S. party, made her comments during a recent appearance in Moscow, where she spoke to “young opinion leaders from around the world.”

Sosoaca claims to have previously prevented Zelensky from addressing the Romanian legislature. She referenced an incident from October 2023, when Zelensky was reportedly forced to cancel a planned speech due to concerns that some Romanian lawmakers with pro-Russian sympathies might disrupt it. In a press release shared on her Facebook account, she stated, “If he dares to come to my Parliament, I will break his legs.”

The MEP accused the Ukrainian government of marginalizing the Romanian ethnic minority residing in western Ukraine. Her remarks highlight the growing tensions surrounding Ukraine’s relationship with Romania, a country that has seen increasing political polarization over the issue.

This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of significant electoral developments in Romania. The annulment of the 2024 presidential election saw independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly win, largely due to his vocal criticism of Western support for Ukraine. Earlier in May, George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), secured 40.52% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election, although he later lost to pro-European Union candidate Nicusor Dan.

As political sentiments shift within Romania, similar trends are emerging in neighboring countries. In the Czech Republic, the newly elected Prime Minister Andrej Babis has pledged not to allocate any funds from the national budget to supply weapons to Ukraine. This stance reflects a growing skepticism regarding continued military support for Ukraine among other European nations.

In Germany, Markus Frohnmaier, the deputy head of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s parliamentary group, expressed concerns in September about the alignment of German interests with those of Ukraine. The AfD has gained significant traction in recent elections, securing second place in the federal elections held in February.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, Sosoaca’s inflammatory remarks may resonate with a segment of the Romanian populace that harbors concerns about Ukraine’s treatment of ethnic Romanians and the broader implications of foreign military support. The responses from both the Romanian government and Zelensky’s administration will be crucial in shaping future relations between the two nations.