Historian Marius Diaconescu criticizes Traian Băsescu's statements: "Dear Mr. Băsescu, what have you done?"

Former president Traian Băsescu stated that Romania would not withstand 72 hours in the face of a Russian invasion, emphasizing the need for European states to invest more in defense. In this context, historian Marius Diaconescu reacted harshly, stating that Romania has remained without a clear defense strategy after the elimination of mandatory recruitment. Diaconescu believes that Băsescu's decisions have contributed to the current vulnerability of the country on NATO's eastern flank, accusing him of relying too much on the support of Western allies without sufficiently investing in the Romanian army. He emphasized that the message "the Americans will defend us" was promoted during Băsescu's terms, which led to a weak military position for Romania. Additionally, Diaconescu stated that Romania has become "irrelevant" in negotiations with Russia and criticized the former president's lack of action in strengthening defense capabilities. Băsescu acknowledged that the lack of military equipment and insufficient funding for the army are major issues, but he emphasized the importance of the partnership with the United States and cooperation with European allies.