"Fictional State": Controversy Surrounding Romania

Pro-Russian presidential candidate in Romania, Kelin Georgescu, referred to Ukraine as a “fictional state” and declared its “inevitable” partition among neighboring countries. The first round of presidential elections took place in Romania on November 24, 2024. According to the count of 100% of votes, Georgescu advanced to the second round with 22.94%, alongside pro-European candidate Elena Laskoni, who received 19.17%. However, the results of the first round were annulled due to aggressive Russian interference in favor of Georgescu. Romanian intelligence services reported that the increase in support for Georgescu among citizens was due to a campaign aimed at boosting his popularity, which intensified two weeks before the first round of the presidential elections. It was noted that the TikTok platform helped the far-right candidate secure 22.94% of the votes.

The intelligence service stated that weeks before the elections, Georgescu had very low popularity. According to polls conducted from November 15 to 20, the candidate garnered 6.2% of the votes. Polls from November 20 to 21 showed an increase to 10.6% of the votes, as mentioned in the report.

Furthermore, according to the intelligence service, Georgescu did not spend anything on his election campaign. At the same time, data indicates that the campaign financing was linked to the TikTok account bogpr, operated by Romanian citizen Bogdan Pechir. He donated over one million euros. TikTok confirmed the identity of the user bogpr and stated that from October 24 to November 24, he made payments totaling $381,000 to the accounts of TikTok users involved in promoting Georgescu.

What he said about Ukraine

“The world is changing. Borders will change. Moreover — if borders change, where will we be? We have Northern Bukovina — an interest. We have Budjak, we have Northern Maramureș — right? From the former… what was it called… Transcarpathia! It will remain and the Hungarians will keep… Lviv, which will remain with the Poles, and Little Russia…,” Georgescu stated in comments to journalists.

When asked if he was betting on the division of Ukrainian territories, he replied: “one hundred percent.”

“Something like this is inevitable. Ukraine is a fictional state. This is the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic,” he declared.

Reaction

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to Georgescu's statements, reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The Romanian MFA firmly confirms its unwavering position in support of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. This position is clear and based on international law, national interests, and a long-term foreign policy grounded in values,” the department noted.

The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgiy Tikhiy, described Georgescu's words about the “division of Ukraine” as a manifestation of extreme disrespect for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The spokesperson emphasized that the MFA considers revisionist statements or actions that encroach upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, contradict international norms, the UN Charter, and basic democratic values as completely unacceptable and condemns them.