site.btaThink Tank: Victory for Presidential Candidate George Simion in Romania Would Benefit Kremlin

A possible victory of George Simion in the second round of Romania's presidential elections on May 18 would help the Kremlin achieve its goals related to Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said in an analysis. The leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians came first among 11 candidates who took part in the race in the first round on May 4.

"George Simion called for an end to Romanian aid to Ukraine and for Romania's territorial expansion - policies that would support the Kremlin's goals in Ukraine and its narratives on Ukraine and Moldova," the analysis quoted by Digi24 said.

Its authors commented that Simion's election as president could contribute to the Kremlin's goal of cutting Western aid to Ukraine while Ukraine continues to defend itself against a large-scale Russian invasion, or in the future, after a peace agreement is reached.

In March, Simion said he would not send military or financial aid to Ukraine if elected, the institute recalled, adding that the Kremlin has made a similar call to Western countries, namely to stop sending military aid to Ukraine during any future long-term ceasefire.

So far, Romania has consistently supported Ukraine against Russia's full-scale invasion, in particular by providing the key air defence system Patriot and training F-16 fighter pilots, the Institute for the Study of War said.

"Simion has expressed views on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and Moldova that are similar to those of the Kremlin. The party he leads has called for the restoration of Romania within its natural borders, including through the restoration of areas of western Ukraine,“ the institute noted, adding that Simion is banned from entering Ukraine due to ”systematic anti-Ukrainian activities that contradict Ukraine's national interests and violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Moldova has also banned Simion from entering the country, describing it as an “artificial state” and calling for the unification of Moldova and Romania, the report's authors recalled. In their view, Simion's statements on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and Moldova reflect the Kremlin's claims that parts of Ukraine belong to other neighbouring states and that the former territories of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union are legally part of modern Russia.

The authors of the analysis comment that Simion's views on Romania's support for NATO and the US military presence in the country differ significantly from those of Georgescu. The question remains what would happen if Simion became president and appointed Georgescu as prime minister, a possibility that George Simion said he was considering. It also remains unclear whether a new coalition could approve the appointment of Georgescu as prime minister, the Institute for the Study of War writes in conclusion.

The Institute for the Study of War is an American think tank founded in 2007 by military historian Kimberly Kagan. The organization conducts research in defense and international relations.