President Emil Constantinescu (1996-2000): ’’Russia is back as a revisionist power pursuing a 19tht-century agenda with a 21th-century tactics and methods’’

Abstract

This article features an in-depth interview with Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania, in which he critically analyzes Romania’s foreign policy during the 1990s. It examines Romania's efforts to navigate its NATO and EU aspirations while managing complex relationships with Eastern powers, particularly Russia and Ukraine. Constantinescu reflects on the signing of key treaties, such as those with Ukraine and Russia, and the internal political resistance that shaped these agreements. He discusses Romania’s strategic position as a “gateway” between East and West, highlighting the profound impact of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as well as its threat upon the international order.