Nicușor Dan tells CNN that a Russian attack on NATO is unlikely in the next two years / “In the case of the drones, I would say that they are not intentional”

President Nicușor Dan stated in an interview with CNN on Tuesday night into Wednesday that a direct Russian attack on a NATO state is unlikely in the next one or two years, but that European allies must be prepared for any scenario. The statement was made in the context of the war in Ukraine and the intensification of hybrid threats attributed to Moscow.

The head of state recalled that few people anticipated in 2020 or 2021 that Russia would invade Ukraine and attempt to capture Kyiv. He said that European leaders are now taking the Russian risk more seriously, have increased defense spending, and are trying to rebalance Europe’s contribution within NATO compared with the United States. Nicușor Dan said that President Donald Trump is right to demand greater financial involvement from European allies.

The president supported maintaining a strong American military presence in Europe, including near the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Approximately 1,500 American troops are stationed in Romania, following the withdrawal of a rotating contingent of around 500 troops that operated in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

He said that incursions by Russian drones are not, in his opinion, intentional, but that disinformation, acts of sabotage, and attacks on critical infrastructure aim to weaken the population’s trust in the authorities and European support for Ukraine.

“In the case of drones, I would say that they are not intentional. But regarding disinformation, hybrid attacks, attacks on critical infrastructure, whether submarine or land-based, and sabotage, I believe they are trying to do two things,” Nicușor Dan said.

Referring to Romania’s situation, the president acknowledged that the country is not completely prepared for the threat posed by drones, although improvements have been made with American support. Nicușor Dan is attending in New York the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly.