AGERPRES special correspondent Cristian Lupascu reports: MP Ionut Mosteanu, former defence minister, praised Ukraine's performance during four years of war with Russia.
He told AGERPRES that Putin "not only failed to defeat the Ukrainians, but also managed the negative feat of turning the entire international community against himself and Russia", agerpres reports.
'On the one hand, it is a sombre milestone, because it has been four years since the lives of millions were changed when Putin invaded Ukraine. People had to defend their families, their children's future and the integrity of their country. Many have died, and today we honour the memory of those who fought and, sadly, fell in this war. On the other hand, there is something very few expected four years ago - that the Ukrainians would endure. Putin came for what he called a special operation lasting a few days, and here we are, four years later: not only has he failed to defeat the Ukrainians, but he has also achieved a negative performance by rallying the entire international community against him and Russia. The brave Ukrainian people have fought every day, innovated, and during this visit we have seen how much they have innovated in defence, in modern warfare, in mobilising the entire nation to defend their homeland. Despite the fact that few gave them any chance, they have stood firm in the face of Putin. For four years now he has struggled to defeat them and has not succeeded. I am, by nature, optimistic in this regard," Mosteanu said.
Present in Kyiv for events marking four years since the start of the war, the former minister stressed the need for a ceasefire, but said he was convinced this would not happen without solid guarantees for Ukraine.
'I believe that, with the backing of the international community, Ukraine will be able to push Putin back. We must reach peace, and that process has to begin with a ceasefire, followed by negotiations. Ukraine will need robust security guarantees for what comes next, and once again the international community will have a crucial role to play,' Mosteanu said.
The former defence minister also expressed confidence that Romania will play an important role both in regional security and in Ukraine's reconstruction.
'Romania will continue to play an important role in the security of this region and in the reconstruction of Ukraine. One more point about reconstruction: it is essential - and I have taken part in such discussions - that those who started this war and caused immense damage, beyond the loss of human lives, including massive destruction of infrastructure, are held accountable. This country has been torn in two, yet it endures. Once the fighting stops, those responsible must answer for what they have done and pay for Ukraine's reconstruction. Romania must stand alongside the international community to ensure this happens,' Ionut Mosteanu underlined.
He attended, alongside numerous European heads of state and government, a solemn session of the Ukrainian Parliament.
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