Zelenskyy: Russia plans to seize Odesa and push toward Romania, Moldova

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia aims to capture Odesa and advance toward the borders of Romania and Moldova. Speaking at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Zelenskyy described the region as a key target in Moscow’s military strategy.

"Russia wants to destroy [Odesa], just as it has done with countless towns and villages in the occupied territories," Zelenskyy said. He emphasized that Russian military plans indicate further aggression beyond Odesa, aiming toward Ukraine’s southwestern border.

The President also highlighted the Kremlin's efforts to destabilize the region through hybrid tactics. “Odesa is one of Russia’s main targets for provoking chaos,” he said, drawing parallels with past Russian actions in the Balkans, including attempts to stoke ethnic tensions, sabotage operations, and coup plots.

Zelenskyy referenced previous efforts by Russia to manipulate public opinion in Romania, without offering specifics. However, his remarks follow controversial moves by Romanian politician Diana Iovanovici-Șoșoacă, who sent letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin calling for the return of historical territories—Northern Bukovyna and Southern Bessarabia—to Romania. These areas are currently part of Ukraine’s Chernivtsi and Odesa regions, respectively.

The summit in Odesa gathered leaders from Southeast Europe amid growing regional security concerns and renewed international support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.