Ambitions yet unrealized: Romania’s status and perceptions from the immediate eastern neighbourhood

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First, we believe Romania’s eastern neighbourhood represents a litmus test for the country’s status aspirations, considering the challenges that inherently come from the region with the potential to inhibit Romania’s external interests and pressure both the EU’s and NATO’s south-eastern flank (namely, Russia’s aggressiveness in the region and the proximity of war). These challenges were present even before the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with direct implications for Romania’s stated commitment to act as a stability pillar in the region. Second, most states conduct much of their political contacts within regions rather than globally. Thus, status is conferred through interaction with other states, typically within a group of states composed of neighbours. Since most of Romania’s external land border is shared with Ukraine and Moldova, we consider it important to examine how Romania’s status is perceived in the two countries, given that in the last couple of years, Romania’s foreign policy preoccupations with the two neighbours have been at the top of the external agenda aimed at strengthening the eastern edge of the transatlantic community. Moldova and Ukraine have largely been the focus of Romania’s external attention in the region, whereby Romania committed itself to support and advocate for their Westernization efforts.

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