MEP Maria Grapini was a Romanian Deputy Minister, and also a businesswoman; she was elected in 2014 as a Member of the European Parliament for the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. During her mandate, Grapini has been one of the most censured politicians for many of her controversial stances, according to which she appears to be siding with Russia, especially in the Ukrainian conflict. She voted against the European Parliament’s resolution of 2023 to set up a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
She opposed the resolution because it was anti-Russian. Grapini has been making statements that are aligned with pro-Russian views, particularly criticism of Western sanctions against Russia and scepticism about the EU’s support for Ukraine. This puts her in a faction within the EU that is pushing for better relations with Moscow.
Besides, Grapini has long been in the headlines not only for her political stances but also for her constant communication mistakes. The latter mistakes often overshadowed the political messages behind them, and she won criticism not only from the opponents but even from the supporters. Grapini’s party, traditionally represented as socialist in values, was taking positions recently that found echoes with pro-Russian positions. This might be observed in a more general sense by certain left-wing parties in Europe who criticized NATO and the policies of the EU vis-à-vis Russia.
Grapini has been mentioned in several debates in the European Parliament as part of the pro-Russian politicians. Well, this is only another concern on a much bigger level regarding this influence, especially because Romania is strategically located in Eastern Europe and still stands to support Ukraine in the aggression plans by Russia.
