Former Romanian PM Falls for Prank by Russian Duo Vovan & Lexus

Victor Ponta, a former Romanian prime minister and still influential name in Romanian politics, has become the latest political figure to be deceived by a prank orchestrated by Vovan & Lexus — the notorious Russian comedy duo behind several high-profile hoaxes.

In a video circulating on Romanian social media, Ponta is seen talking on the phone with individuals who impersonate former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The call touched on Romanian and regional politics, with demands and questions that shifted from plausible to absurd.

Ponta responded with a mix of cautious diplomacy and visible confusion. He made comments about Brussels, Volodymyr Zelensky, and local politics. Later, he told Romanian media that he believed the prank was “obvious” and expressed surprise that the comedians managed to get through to him.

What Ponta Said to ‘Poroshenko’

During the conversation, Ponta offered several pointed remarks:

• He claimed the first round of Romania’s presidential elections had been annulled by the Constitutional Court to stop Călin Georgescu from winning, and criticised Klaus Iohannis as being very unpopular.
• He described how the repeated election brought Giuliani forward as a new figure, similar to Iohannis, while most people remained unhappy.
• On Ukraine, he said President Volodymyr Zelensky is unpopular among Romanians, adding that “Romanians love Ukraine but not Zelensky,” and criticised Brussels for staying silent even in extreme cases involving him.
• He called Moldovan President Maia Sandu unpopular and criticised Romania’s current foreign minister, Oana Țoiu, saying she was even worse.
• He warned about a “Ukrainian political model” being applied in Moldova and Romania, calling it a bad sign.
• On Moldova’s politics, he called the sanctioning of Chișinău mayor Ion Ceban a dirty fight and said he personally helped Ceban build ties with the U.S.
• He mentioned oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, calling him intelligent but “stupid” for being caught with a fake passport in Greece.
• He concluded by saying the U.S. should take a stronger stance against political schemes targeting opponents.

The call ended with Ponta wishing “Poroshenko” well and expressing hope to keep in touch.

Who Are Vovan & Lexus?

Vovan & Lexus are the stage names of Vladimir Kuznetsov and Aleksei Stolyarov, Russian pranksters known for elaborate hoax calls to political leaders and celebrities.

Over the past decade, they have targeted a long list of high-profile figures, among them Prince Harry, Elton John, Boris Johnson, Giorgia Meloni, and even European ministers. Their pranks are often published as edited videos, highlighting the most awkward or humorous exchanges.

In 2024, the pair received the Order of Friendship from the Kremlin, fueling debate over whether their activities are merely comedic or part of a broader influence campaign. While they deny ties to Russian intelligence, many analysts view their stunts as serving both political and entertainment purposes.

The timing of the prank is notable. Romania is entering a period of intense political competition, and such incidents can easily distract from policy debates. For Ponta, the episode risks being used by opponents as a symbol of naivety or poor judgment.

It also highlights a recurring vulnerability: the ease with which senior political figures can be reached by unknown callers using impersonation and spoofing tactics. Beyond the humour, the case raises questions about the security of political communication in the region.

So far, Ponta has limited his reaction to brief comments in the media, without suggesting legal action or a detailed response. Observers are waiting to see whether he decides to laugh it off, push back publicly, or remain silent.

What is certain is that the prank has once again put Victor Ponta in the spotlight — not for a policy initiative or a political statement, but for falling victim to a duo that has made a career out of embarrassing global leaders.