Romania-Ukraine talks in Bucharest

Romania and Ukraine discussed the security situation in the Black Sea and the rights of national minorities during talks in Bucharest.

Leyla Cheamil, 06.11.2026, 14:00

Ukraine is committed to fulfil the highest standards to protect national minorities, including the Romanian minority. This statement was made on Thursday in Bucharest by the foreign minister of neighbouring Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, at a press conference given jointly with the Romanian foreign minister, Dan Neculăescu, and the Secretary General of the Central European Initiative, Franco Dal Mas.

Speaking to the press at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ukrainian official said he had discussed this matter with his counterpart in Bucharest. Commenting on reports about young people of Romanian ethnicity who are unable to study in their native language in Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha emphasised that “it is inappropriate to restrict the rights of national minorities, especially the rights of pupils.” Sybiha stressed that such instances are unacceptable and that the authorities will take appropriate action. “Should such cases appear, we will investigate them and hope that there will be no further complaints of this nature in the future,” he said.

He also noted that Romanian Language Day is celebrated in Ukraine, emphasising that national minorities, including the Romanian minority, are part of Ukrainian society. “Members of the Romanian minority are fighting for our homeland on the battlefield,” said Andrii Sybiha.

The Romanian foreign minister Dan Neculăescu said his ministry is in constant dialogue with the Romanian community in the neighbouring Ukraine, as well as with the Ukrainian authorities. He mentioned that a meeting of the joint intergovernmental committee on minority issues is to be held as soon as possible, noting that talks were already held between the education ministers of the two countries and that such initiatives will continue.

The talks with Andrii Sybiha also looked at security in the Black Sea and Ukraine’s European integration path. The Romanian foreign minister also spoke of the threats to the freedom and safety of navigation, which directly affect Romania, saying that attacks on commercial vessels, including those in maritime areas under Romanian jurisdiction, are becoming increasingly frequent and must cease.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said Ukraine’s military experience and the technologies it has developed could contribute to the security of Romania and of other member states of the Central European Initiative. “We have learned our lessons from the war and possess unique combat experience involving the latest technologies. We are prepared to share all of this with Romania and other member states of the Central European Initiative in order to strengthen European security,” he minister Sybiha said. He also noted that, within the framework of the Central European Initiative, Ukraine will support peace efforts and a full ceasefire in its country, the return of abducted Ukrainian children and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.