Romania’s Defense Minister Resigns Amid CV Controversy

Romania’s Defense Minister, Ionuț Moșteanu, resigned on Friday following revelations of false claims on his curriculum vitae. This resignation marks a notable shift in defense leadership within NATO countries neighboring Russia, indicating ongoing tensions in the region.

In a statement, Moșteanu emphasized the importance of national security during this challenging period. He remarked, “Romania and Europe are under attack from Russia. Our national security must be defended at all costs. I do not want discussions about my education and the mistakes I made many years ago to distract those who are now leading the country from their difficult mission.”

Local media reports detailed that Moșteanu claimed to have graduated from Athenaeum University in Bucharest, despite never attending the institution. Furthermore, he included the Faculty of Automation at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest on his resume, despite having dropped out.

Moșteanu’s resignation follows closely behind the ousting of Dovilė Šakalienė, Lithuania’s defense minister, who was removed from her position amid a conflict regarding the Baltic country’s defense budget. This series of leadership changes occurs as European nations consider their strategies in response to escalating Russian hybrid attacks.

The Romanian government announced that Radu Miruță, the current Economy Minister, will assume the defense portfolio on an interim basis. His appointment comes at a critical time as Romania faces regular incursions from Russian drones, heightening concerns over national security.

In addition to the immediate security threats, Romania is under pressure to meet a deadline set by the European Union. The country has just 48 hours to submit its plan to the European Commission detailing how it intends to utilize funding from the EU’s loans-for-weapons SAFE program. Romania is poised to be the second-largest beneficiary of this initiative, with access to a significant share of the €16.6 billion allocated for defense enhancements across member states.

As Romania navigates these turbulent waters, the implications of Moșteanu’s resignation extend beyond personal accountability, reflecting broader concerns about defense readiness in the face of increasing geopolitical instability.