Romania–Ukraine relations

The diplomatic relations between Romania and Ukraine were initially established on February 9, 1918, and were re-established in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The two countries have a complex history that includes territorial disputes and minority issues.

Romania and Ukraine have engaged in negotiations for a treaty of friendship and cooperation, which have been hindered by disagreements over the ownership of Snake Island and the associated oil and gas reserves in the Black Sea. A significant milestone was reached in June 1997 when Romania and Ukraine signed a bilateral treaty addressing various territorial and minority concerns.

The International Court of Justice resolved the dispute over the maritime boundary near Snake Island with a ruling on February 3, 2009, which established a delimitation line between the two countries. This ruling clarified the status of Snake Island and its impact on maritime boundaries.

In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Romania has taken steps to enhance military cooperation with Ukraine. On September 5, 2020, a technical and military cooperation agreement was signed between the defense ministers of both countries.

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Romanian Parliament on April 4, 2022, emphasizing the importance of cooperation. Following this, Romanian officials visited Kyiv, indicating a commitment to strengthen ties.

Romania also announced reforms to its military export regulations on April 19, 2022, allowing for the provision of military equipment to Ukraine in light of Russian aggression.

On December 3, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved a bill that recognized the Romanian language, correcting previous historical inaccuracies regarding minority language protections. This was part of broader efforts to enhance cultural ties between the two nations.

On March 12, 2026, President Zelenskyy established Romanian Language Day in Ukraine, to be celebrated on August 31, fostering mutual respect and cooperation in Ukrainian-Romanian relations.

Romania maintains an embassy in Kyiv and consulates in Chernivtsi, Odesa, and Solotvyno. Conversely, Ukraine has an embassy in Bucharest, facilitating ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.