Ukraine Seeks Closer Ties to Romania, Vows to Resolve Minority Issues

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky told Romanian lawmakers on Monday evening that Kyiv will seek a new agreement with Bucharest to resolve mutual problems and bring the two states closer together after the war.

"As soon as the situation allows, I want to dialogue with you on a new all-encompassing agreement that guarantees the absolute protection and comprehensive development of our national minorities - the Ukrainian community in Romania and the Romanian community in Ukraine," Zelensky said in a video address to the legislature.

The Romanian-speaking community, comprising ethnic Romanians and Moldovans, is the second-largest minority after Russians in Ukraine, and consists of more than 400,000 people.

Zelensky also called for support from Bucharest on Kyiv's path to European integration.

In response, Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca called on Zelensky to ensure that Ukraine protects the Romanian community in his country, just as Romanians have shown solidarity with Ukrainians.

Romania has received over 650,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the Russian invasion.

"Mr President Zelensky, the families of the Ukrainians who arrived in Romania are safe, and we are taking care of all the Ukrainians who have arrived in Romania. Just as we take care of your citizens, I am convinced that you will also care for the Romanian citizens [in Ukraine]," said Ciuca.

Ciuca also said that Romania would ensure the continuation of the education of over 30,000 Ukrainian children in schools teaching the Ukrainian language in Romania.

"The 30,000 and more children from Ukraine can go to school, in the 50 schools and seven high schools taught in Ukrainian, and use other facilities provided by the Romanian Ministry of...