Romanian MEP Diana Sosoaca, a member of the far-right S.O.S. party, has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s efforts to address Romania’s parliament, vowing to physically harm him if he attempts to do so. The statement comes amid growing tensions over Ukraine’s role in Romanian politics and the broader European debate on Western support for Kyiv.
Sosoaca, who served in Romania’s Senate from 2020 to 2024, claimed she previously blocked Zelenskiy from speaking in the legislature in October 2023, citing concerns about pro-Russian lawmakers disrupting the event. She reiterated her stance in a recent speech, stating, “If Zelenskiy dares to come to my Parliament, I will break his legs.” The MEP accused Ukraine of marginalizing Romania’s ethnic minority in western regions, framing the issue as a broader conflict over national sovereignty.
The controversy highlights deepening divisions within Romania over its relationship with Ukraine. In 2024, the country annulled its presidential election after independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, a vocal critic of Western support for Kyiv, secured an unexpected victory. Right-wing parties have increasingly opposed military aid to Ukraine, with Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) leader George Simion winning 40.52% of the vote in May’s presidential election before losing to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan.
Neighboring EU states have also seen rising opposition to Ukraine support. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis pledged not to fund Ukrainian weapons with Czech taxpayer money, while Germany’s far-right AfD party has criticized the alignment of German and Ukrainian interests. These developments reflect a broader shift in Eastern Europe toward skepticism of prolonged Western involvement in the conflict.
