Luca Niculescu and Mark Rutte discussed security in the Black Sea and hybrid threats on the eastern flank

Prime Minister Luca Niculescu had a “substantive” discussion with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea and the intensification of hybrid threats against the allies on the eastern flank.

The discussion took place amid escalating tensions in the region and a series of recent maritime incidents. The prime minister argued that these developments require increased vigilance on the part of the allies and a firm, coordinated response adapted to the new risks.

Luca Niculescu thanked Mark Rutte and the NATO allies for their constant attention to the security of the Black Sea. He also welcomed the additional surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities recently announced for this region.

On October 23, a vessel sank approximately 13 nautical miles from Constanța after allegedly being hit by a drone. Five days later, on October 28, another vessel heading toward Constanța was attacked by maritime drones off the coast of Bulgaria and sank. The conversation between the two officials took place against the backdrop of NATO concerns regarding the security of maritime infrastructure, the protection of commercial routes, and combating hybrid activities in the region.