Romania's defence minister Vasile Dincu resigned Monday, citing difficulties working with the country's president who's also chief of the NATO country's armed forces.
Dincu's resignation comes a week after sparking controversy by suggesting that Ukraine's only chance for peace would be in negotiating with Russia, in contrast to Romania's official stance.Dincu, a member of the ruling Social Democrat party who has held the post in the coalition government for almost a year, said on Facebook that he sent his resignation letter to Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.
Romania, a European Union and NATO member that borders war-torn Ukraine, has become an increasingly important western ally since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24. Feb, and hosts multinational battlegroups and air defence systems for the 30-nation security alliance. Dincu explained his decision to resign as necessary to avoid hindering decision-making in military programs and "to not block a number of projects absolutely necessary for the optimal function" in the defence ministry and army.Marcel Ciolacu, the leader of PSD, said Monday that he has requested incumbent Prime Minister Ciuca, a former defence minister, to step in as interim "because Romania is obliged to ensure stability on the eastern flank of NATO.