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On Wednesday, Romanian President Nicușor Dan delivered a speech at the United Nations in New York, addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its broader implications for Europe.
Dan warned that the threat posed by the Russian Federation extends beyond Ukraine, citing cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and sabotage as components of a “hybrid war” aimed at undermining democratic institutions across the continent.
He accused Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, of abandoning its responsibility to maintain international peace and security, describing its actions as “a revisionist agenda.”
Dan highlighted incidents in Romanian airspace, including a drone crash that damaged a residential building and injured people, as evidence of the conflict’s direct impact on Romania, which shares the longest border with Ukraine among EU and NATO members.
He reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that the country would continue to support Kiev “as long as it is needed.” The president noted Romania’s role in facilitating the transit of Ukrainian grain by rail and water following Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and infrastructure.
Dan also addressed maritime security in the Black Sea, describing cooperation with Bulgaria and Turkey to counter naval mines and protect critical submarine infrastructure. He announced plans to develop a maritime security hub with Bulgaria and to expand energy interconnections with Ukraine and Moldova.
Regarding Moldova, Dan described the country as the second most affected by the war, facing economic shocks and a hybrid campaign of disinformation, energy pressure and attempts to destabilize democratic institutions. He pledged continued support for Moldova’s resilience and its European integration efforts.
He emphasized the need for increased defense spending to deter Russian aggression, noting Romania’s current military expenditure of 3.7 % of GDP and its target of 5 %.
Dan’s remarks were made in the context of the NATO summit held in July, where Romania reaffirmed its commitment to collective defense and regional security.
Article and image source: mediafax.ro
