Romania’s Defence Minister Resigns After Admitting He Falsified His Academic Credentials
Ionuț Moșteanu steps down amid revelations he lied about his education, citing need to keep security focus amid Russian threats
Ionuț Moșteanu, Romania’s Defence Minister, resigned on Friday after admitting that he provided false information about his academic background.
He acknowledged that details in his résumé regarding the institution and date of his studies were incorrect, and said he did not want his past mistakes to distract from the critical task of defending Romania — and Europe — against Russian aggression.
The disclosure followed reporting by Romanian media which challenged the validity of Moșteanu’s claimed academic record.
Within hours, Moșteanu posted on social media: “Romania and Europe are under attack.
We must defend our national security at all costs.
I do not want debates about my education and errors I made years ago to draw attention away from the difficult mission of those now leading our state.”
Moșteanu had held the defence post for only five months, having been appointed following the re-run of the presidential election this summer that returned a pro-European coalition to power.
In response, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan thanked Moșteanu for his service and appointed the Economy Minister, Radu Miruță, as interim Defence Minister.
Both are members of the governing party that will now nominate a candidate for permanent replacement.
The resignation comes as Romania faces a heightened security environment.
The country — a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — shares a 650-kilometre land border with Ukraine.
Officials have recently reported incursions into Romanian airspace by drones, and the detection of a downed unmanned aerial vehicle deep within Romanian territory.
Naval mines drifting in the Black Sea have also posed risks.
Some observers note the timing is particularly sensitive: the defence ministry had just approved a new national defence strategy for 2025–2030, outlining a drive to transform Romania into a leading military power on NATO’s eastern flank.
The abrupt departure of the minister raises immediate questions about continuity in implementing these strategic plans under growing regional pressure.
He acknowledged that details in his résumé regarding the institution and date of his studies were incorrect, and said he did not want his past mistakes to distract from the critical task of defending Romania — and Europe — against Russian aggression.
The disclosure followed reporting by Romanian media which challenged the validity of Moșteanu’s claimed academic record.
Within hours, Moșteanu posted on social media: “Romania and Europe are under attack.
We must defend our national security at all costs.
I do not want debates about my education and errors I made years ago to draw attention away from the difficult mission of those now leading our state.”
Moșteanu had held the defence post for only five months, having been appointed following the re-run of the presidential election this summer that returned a pro-European coalition to power.
In response, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan thanked Moșteanu for his service and appointed the Economy Minister, Radu Miruță, as interim Defence Minister.
Both are members of the governing party that will now nominate a candidate for permanent replacement.
The resignation comes as Romania faces a heightened security environment.
The country — a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — shares a 650-kilometre land border with Ukraine.
Officials have recently reported incursions into Romanian airspace by drones, and the detection of a downed unmanned aerial vehicle deep within Romanian territory.
Naval mines drifting in the Black Sea have also posed risks.
Some observers note the timing is particularly sensitive: the defence ministry had just approved a new national defence strategy for 2025–2030, outlining a drive to transform Romania into a leading military power on NATO’s eastern flank.
The abrupt departure of the minister raises immediate questions about continuity in implementing these strategic plans under growing regional pressure.
