Romania’s president, Nicușor Dan, said in a Bloomberg interview that Russia is attempting to escalate the war in Ukraine and provoke European nations, especially through drone attacks, including in the Black Sea region.
According to the head of state, Romania has ordered defence capabilities through the European SAFE programme and has asked allies for temporary equipment until the ordered assets are delivered and operational. Dan said Romania has again requested temporary capabilities within NATO and has secured support.
The remarks come against a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday that calls on the Union to consider launching a naval operation in the Black Sea. In Bucharest, the Supreme Council of National Defence discussed measures to strengthen surveillance, prevention and response in order to defend territorial waters and critical infrastructure and to secure commercial shipping.