Professor of political science at Rutgers University-Newark and expert on the ex-Soviet space, Alexander J. Motyl believes that in the coming period Russia will intensify its efforts to undermine Romania and that the authorities must be vigilant with neighbors such as Serbia and Hungary.
In an exclusive interview for “Adevărul”, Alexander J. Motyl, historian and expert on Ukraine, Russia and the USSR, spoke about how important it is to cancel the presidential elections in Romania, but also about the fact that a victory for Călin Georgescu would have meant a major defeat for democracy.
A history major summa cum laude from Columbia University in 1975, Alexander Motyl received his master’s degree in international relations and his doctorate in political science from the same prestigious university in the United States.
In the opinion of Alexander Motyl, “the decision of the Romanian Constitutional Court to annul the presidential elections is a very strong blow to Russia and the Kremlin’s efforts to create instability and undermine democracy. After all, Romania is a country of great strategic importance, having influence in both the European Union and NATO. It is no wonder that Romania has become a target for Russia. And a victory for Călin Georgescu would have been a victory for Putin and a major defeat for democracy.”
The renowned American expert also analyzed what reactions Russia might have in the coming weeks after the cancellation of the presidential elections.
“With neighbors like Hungary and Serbia, Romania must remain vigilant”
“Russia will deny any involvement, saying that it played no role and that there were only internal reactions. Russia will also claim that the CCR decision goes against the voice of the people and is anti-democratic. And some Russian propagandists will probably blame the regimes in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova for the annulment of the presidential elections in Romania,” Professor Alexander Motyl told “Adevărul”.
Expert in the ex-Soviet space, Alexander Motyl believes that Romania is also in danger because Russia tried to influence the presidential elections.
“Romania is also in danger because Russia will intensify its efforts to undermine it, probably focusing more on the medium and long term. On the other hand, Romania is safe as long as NATO continues to exist. But with neighbors like Hungary and Serbia, Romania must remain vigilant,” adds Alexander Motyl.
He also specified how he sees Romania’s future, considering political volatility.
“Russia will continue to sow instability and undermine democracy as long as Putin is in power. It is unknown what will happen after Putin is no longer in the Kremlin. Eastern Europe will be particularly affected by the war in Ukraine. If Russia wins, Putin will continue to advance, and the Baltic states and Ukraine’s neighbors, including Romania, could be the next targets,” believes Professor Alexander Motyl.