January 28, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 28.01.2026, 19:45
Meeting. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday. The two officials discussed several topics, including German investments in Romania and cooperation in the field of defense within the European SAFE program. Germany is Romania’s main economic partner, and Romania intends to develop this cooperation, the Romanian prime minister said. He noted that Romania and Germany share the same vision regarding the importance of restoring peace and security in the Black Sea region. Ilie Bolojan also spoke about a memorandum that will be signed between the Romanian and German defense ministries with a view to strengthening military cooperation. The document to be signed demonstrates that the two countries are taking joint responsibility when it comes to European security, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He specified that bilateral discussions also focused on combating hybrid threats from Russia, whether in the form of disinformation, cyber operations, or airspace violations on NATO’s eastern flank. In his opinion, Romania makes a major contribution to European security. Romania and Germany support Ukraine politically, financially, humanitarily, and militarily, the federal chancellor added. Earlier, the head of the Bucharest government met with the vice president of the German Federal Parliament, Andrea Lindholz, and Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. The prime minister’s visit to Germany began on Tuesday with a meeting with representatives of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Council of Europe. Speaking before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Moldovan President Maia Sandu warned that Europe is currently facing two wars: a military one, waged by Russia against Ukraine, and a hybrid one, directed against European democracies. If Russia is not held accountable, there can be no lasting peace, Maia Sandu said. According to Radio Chișinău, she reiterated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a direct threat not only to Kyiv, but also to the security of Chișinău and the whole of Europe. If Ukraine falls, Russia will not stop at the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu added.
Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has claimed nearly two million Russian and Ukrainian military casualties – wounded, killed, and missing – according to a study published by an American think tank, quoted by AFP. Moscow has suffered the heaviest losses, with 325,000 deaths out of an estimated total of 1.2 million casualties since the invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). No major power has suffered so many deaths and casualties in any war since World War II, according to CSIS, which says Russian forces are advancing very slowly on the battlefield. Kyiv has also suffered significant losses. The conflict has caused between 500,000 and 600,000 casualties, including between 100,000 and 140,000 deaths, between February 2022 and December 2025, according to the think tank. Civilians have also paid a heavy price in the war.
Deficit. Romania’s state budget deficit in 2025 was 7.65% of the Gross Domestic Product, one percentage point lower than in the previous year, according to official data presented by the Ministry of Finance. The institution explains this development by the effectiveness of the austerity measures adopted by the government, which brought in 15% higher revenues and allowed for record investments in the economy and infrastructure, but also by a slowdown in the expansion of public spending.
Accident. Senior officials in Bucharest have sent their condolences to the families of the seven young people from Greece who lost their lives in a road accident on Tuesday on a national highway in western Romania. The seven were supporters of PAOK Thessaloniki, coached by Romanian Razvan Lucescu, and were traveling by minibus to Lyon, France, where their favorite team will play. According to the police, the man driving the minibus crossed into the opposite lane at some point and collided head-on with a truck. Three other people in the minibus were injured. Two victims suffered spinal injuries and are being treated at a hospital in Timisoara. A third survivor of the accident is in good condition. An association of Timişoara supporters announced that it stands in solidarity with the families of the seven Greek victims and that its members will donate blood for the injured. (MI)
