Minister of National Defense Radu Miruta declared on Monday that Romania's 50 million contribution through the PURL mechanism goes to the NATO budget, with the United States delivering military equipment to Ukraine.
He urged critics "commenting on the sidelines" to consider what would happen if Russian forces extended their borders to Galati.
"PURL (...) is a mechanism proposed by the United States. All countries contribute through NATO; we do not give money directly to Ukraine. From this pooled contribution, the United States delivers military equipment to Ukraine. Together with the Prime Minister, the President and Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, I proposed not to classify this decision. The government could have kept it secret for 50 years. Let those who comment on the sidelines on why we gave this money imagine what would happen if the Russians were in Galati today. It is healthier to keep the war away from Romania's borders than to fight it here," Miruta told broadcaster Antena 3 when asked why the total amount Romania has supported Ukraine with since the beginning of the war is not being made public.
He added that the total value of Romania's support could be made public as long as it does not compromise strategic interests.
"Romania has helped Ukraine with equipment and hardware. It is not advisable to list what the Army had in its warehouses and how much was sent. Military experts could deduce numbers from such details. But the overall value can be made public without risk. That is why the government decision I signed for 50 million is public, not secret," the minister emphasized.
Miruta also said that he would propose reopening the discussion so that authorities could assess whether the cumulative value of aid could be disclosed "without negative strategic consequences."
Asked why countries such as France, Italy, Germany and Poland publish their figures while Romania does not, Miruta replied:
"They don't have a war on their border. Between Russia and France there are six other countries. France also has a nuclear umbrella, so it can afford to be more transparent. For Romania, some aspects are smarter to stop, even if you lose politically. Not publishing the amount may fuel extremism, but the price might be worth paying. Strategic decisions are not made by counting votes, but with responsibility. Wherever possible, we have published everything," said Miruta.
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