Cristian Diaconescu: "If there were to be, let's say, a de facto recognition of Crimea's belonging to the Russian Federation, it could practically put the entire procedure for delimiting maritime spaces in the Black Sea into question. Extracting gas from the Black Sea could be a problem."

Former Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu discussed the implications of a de facto recognition of the Crimean Peninsula as part of the Russian Federation, emphasizing that this could affect the delimitation of territorial waters in the Black Sea. Diaconescu highlighted that such a recognition could create problems in the exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits in the region, including for future projects like Neptun Deep.

He mentioned the uncertainty regarding Russia's prospects for Romanian economic operations in the Black Sea and emphasized the risks associated with a possible return of the Russian fleet to Sevastopol. In conclusion, Diaconescu stressed that a stable peace in the Black Sea could allow Russia to act without constraints in the area.