Nicușor Dan: Romania to again request military support from NATO allies after drone incidents in the Black Sea

Romania will once again request military support from NATO allies following the drone incidents in the Black Sea, President Nicușor Dan said on Friday, October 16, in an interview with Bloomberg in Brussels. The head of state specified that the authorities cannot yet confirm whether the drones that struck two vessels were Russian.

Nicușor Dan explained that Romania needs equipment and other means of defense until it develops its own military capabilities. He mentioned that the country is participating in the European SAFE program, through which it can benefit from 13 billion euros for defense investments.

The president stated that the incidents targeted a maritime corridor used by Ukraine to transport goods toward the Bosphorus and other regions. He argued that support for Kyiv must be maintained, as the war represents a security issue for Europe, not merely one of international law. Assistance will continue both throughout the conflict and afterward, for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

“Russia is trying to create tensions within European societies and reduce public support for Ukraine. And our response must be that we will continue to support Ukraine,” the president said, according to Ziare.com.

Regarding relations with the United States, Nicușor Dan said that the strategic partnership is functioning well and highlighted the importance of the military base on the Black Sea for projecting American power toward the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean.