Romania and its allies will not remain passive witnesses to the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine and will do everything possible to achieve a just and lasting peace, said Alexandru Victor Micula, Romania’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine, during a reception in Kyiv on the occasion of Romanian Army Day.
“We are in Ukraine and we think of those who are fighting right now for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, who stand as a shield in defense of democratic societies against bloodthirsty Moscow autocrats. We are grateful to them for their daily sacrifice,” the diplomat emphasized.
According to him, Romania and its partners “have a duty to these heroes and their families to do everything possible to establish a just peace for Ukraine — a peace that cannot be a reward for the aggressor and must ensure justice for the victims of this illegal and unjustified aggression.”
Micu expressed his deep gratitude to Ukrainian servicemen and their families, especially those of Romanian origin, who live in daily anxiety for their loved ones.
“Many families already know that their heroes will not return home. Among them are the families of Ukrainians and Romanians who gave their lives defending Ukraine. But even those who are waiting for news about the missing do not lose hope. This is a true manifestation of courage and strength of spirit,” the ambassador said.
During the event, Romania’s naval and air attaché to Ukraine, Colonel Cristi Ladaniuc, emphasized that Romanian Army Day is not only a tribute to national heroes, but also a symbol of Romania’s unwavering commitment to peace and security in the region.
“From the first day of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, Romania has played an important role in supporting Kyiv in all areas of assistance,” Colonel Ladaniuc said.
He stressed that Romania is actively involved in training Ukrainian military personnel under the EUMAM and INTERFLEX programs and that Bucharest “will continue to coordinate with Ukrainian partners to identify new training opportunities in line with needs.”
The attaché also drew attention to the creation of the European F-16 Training Center in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots are already participating in flight programs. “This project demonstrates what we can achieve together — through partnership, strategic decisions, and joint efforts toward our common goals,” he emphasized.
Romania, he said, will also continue to participate in the Maritime Capabilities Coalition, providing maritime security training (MRTH) on its territory and facilitating the training of Ukrainian marines within existing programs.
At the same time, he stressed that Romania, in accordance with a political decision at the highest level, is ready to provide logistical support to future peacekeeping forces, but will not consider the possibility of deploying its military on Ukrainian territory (“no boots on the ground”).
Ukraine and Romania established diplomatic relations on February 1, 1992.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Romania opened in Bucharest in 1992, and the Romanian Embassy in Ukraine opened in Kyiv in 1993.
Both countries are members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and actively cooperate in the fields of defense, energy, border management, and support for Ukraine in the context of Russian aggression.
The mining and metallurgical group Metinvest has allocated UAH 9.72 billion to support the state and its citizens, including UAH 5.2 billion for the army’s needs as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative, according to the company’s CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov.
“In the context of full-scale war, Metinvest has mobilized all its resources to preserve its workforce and protect the state. For more than three and a half years, our priority has been to help the army. After all, the future of the state, industry, Ukrainian cities, and families depends on the army’s defense capabilities. During this time, Metinvest has allocated UAH 5.2 billion to the needs of the defenders as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. In total, UAH 9.72 billion has been allocated to help Ukraine. We continue to work, believe in the country, and support its people on the path to victory,” said the CEO.
According to the company, despite their proximity to the front line and the threat of enemy shelling, the group’s enterprises in Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianske continue to operate at varying levels of capacity, taking into account security, energy, logistical, and economic factors.
The company noted that the main value of Metinvest remains the life and health of its employees. All of the company’s enterprises in Ukraine have bomb shelters equipped for long-term stays. The shelters have water, food, and medicine. Employees are trained to provide first aid and respond to emergencies related to military risks.
Despite losing operational control over its assets in Mariupol and Avdiivka and suspending the activities of the Pokrovsk Coal Group, Metinvest remains one of Ukraine’s largest exporters.
Even during the war, Metinvest is investing in major repairs and equipment upgrades. In particular, Kametstal is implementing a record program worth over UAH 2.5 billion this year.
Metinvest also continues to pursue a green transformation of its production. Together with its partners, the company has announced the construction of a modern metallurgical plant in Italy. It will consume Ukrainian iron ore and metallurgical raw materials, ensuring synergy between Ukraine and the EU.
The group is investing in energy independence. In July 2025, two new gas-fired power generators began operating at Northern GOK. In two months of operation, the units generated 1,040 MWh of electricity, which brought an economic effect of UAH 2.3 million. In total, four such units are planned to be installed at Northern GOK.
The company states that it remains one of the largest taxpayers in Ukraine: in 2024, the company transferred UAH 19.8 billion to budgets of all levels. In the first half of 2025, another UAH 9.3 billion was paid to the budget.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its enterprises are located in Ukraine – in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions – as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The main shareholders of the holding company are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
Europe will need to rethink its support of Ukraine if Donald Trump is elected president of the United States, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday, as the continent “will not be able to bear the burdens of the war alone”.
Orban opposes military aid to Ukraine and has made clear he thinks Trump shares his views and would negotiate a peace settlement for Ukraine.
He backs former president Trump, the Republic candidate, to beat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s U.S. election.
“We (in Europe) need to realize that if there will be a pro-peace president in America, which I not only believe in but I also read the numbers that way, … if what we expect happens and America becomes pro-peace, then Europe cannot remain pro-war,” Orban said.
Ukraine will be high on the agenda when European leaders meet in Budapest in the coming week, he said, referring to a European Political Community meeting and a more informal meeting of EU leaders due to take place.
“Europe cannot bear the burden of [the war] alone, and if Americans switch to peace, then we also need to adapt, and this is what we will discuss in Budapest,” Orban said.
Europe is jittery about how the outcome of the U.S. election will affect the war in Ukraine and the continent’s security.
Orban has angered Brussels with his close ties to Russia and opposition to aid for Ukraine.
Hungary’s foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said in July that the Hungarian government sees Trump as a “chance for peace” in Ukraine.
In July Orban said his team was assisting Trump’s aides with policies on families and migration. On Thursday, he called Trump to wish him good luck ahead of Tuesday’s election.
The British government will stand by Ukraine, the country’s new prime minister Keir Starmer pledged on Saturday.
“I will emphasize, as I did yesterday when I spoke to Ukraine’s president Zelensky, that we will stand with our allies to support his country,” he said, referring to next week’s NATO summit in Washington.
According to The Guardian, Starmer said he has already had a number of phone calls with foreign leaders to “establish relationships and have important discussions about Ukraine and other key topics.”
Starmer is the head of the election-winning Labor Party. He took over as head of government on Friday and the new British cabinet held its first meeting on Saturday.
The UK will allocate an additional GBP 1 billion in support for Ukraine, which will go towards investment, trade and security, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“Great news from London: UK will allocate an additional GBP 1 billion in support for Ukraine. That means new investments, trade, security. As a result of my negotiations with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson last year, the total volume of British support increases to GBP 3.5 billion,”- Zelenskiy said on Twitter on Wednesday.
