February 13, 2025 UPDATE 2
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 13.02.2025, 18:34
GOVERNMENT – The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday approved two decisions regarding the prioritization of projects included in the ‘Anghel Saligny’ National Investment Program and in the program carried out by the National Investment Company (CNI). At the same time, the extension of the free zone in the Port of Constanta (southeast), on the Black Sea, was on the agenda of the Government meeting. The government thus seeks to stimulate the economic development of the region and improve trade flows in this area. Also on Thursday, new measures were adopted that support the reorganization of the National Anti-Drug Agency. On the other hand, Marcel Ciolacu announced that the ruling coalition has decided to provide financial support worth €160 to pensioners with low incomes. This aid will benefit approximately 2.5 million pensioners with incomes of up to €515, tantamount to the national minimum wage. The aid will be granted in two installments, in April and in the second half of the year. In the context of the latest price hikes, this measure will help maintain a minimum level of social protection for the elderly. The aid is intended to compensate for the increase in living costs and to provide essential financial support for pensioners. We recall that, earlier this year, the government decided not to raise pensions in line with the inflation rate, as planned, a move that generated society-wide dissatisfaction.
DRONE – The surveillance and monitoring systems of the Defense Ministry on Wednesday night picked up an air target flying into Romania’s airspace for nearly one kilometer on its way to Ukraine. Authorities immediately conveyed an emergency service alert to notify the population in the area and scrambled two F-16s belonging to Romania’s Air Force and two Eurofighter jets operated by the Spanish Air Forces. The same sources have also reported a possible impact on the national soil close to the Ukrainian border, without any material damages. In turn, the president of the neighboring Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said that two Russian drones illegally entered the air space of Moldova and exploded on the ground. No citizens were put at risk. Sources close to the Ukrainian army announced that Russia attacked Ukraine with 140 drones on Wednesday night.
PEACE PLAN – The peace process in Ukraine has been launched, U.S. President Donald Trump said, without giving further details, after telephone conversations with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was the first discussion between an American president and Vladimir Putin in almost three years, given that, after the invasion of Ukraine and the emergence of information regarding war crimes committed by Russian troops, former President Joe Biden refused to talk to the Kremlin leader. In turn, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, said that Ukraine cannot return to previous its borders or join NATO. To Kyiv, the liberation of all Russian-held territories and NATO accession are key priorities. At the same time, the European Union has demanded firm security guarantees for Ukraine. (DB & VP)
