Romanian President Nicușor Dan has urged NATO to increase its oversight in the Black Sea to safeguard international commercial shipping, warning that the vital maritime region will only become truly secure once Russia's war in Ukraine comes to an end. Speaking on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Friday, Dan highlighted the urgency of securing regional waters following a series of recent drone strikes against merchant vessels.
Emphasizing the economic importance of the waterway for Ukraine and the broader region, Dan expressed optimism that international allies would provide the necessary defense capabilities and assistance. He recalled that Romania first faced frequent drone incursions into its airspace roughly a year and a half ago, acknowledging that Bucharest was initially unprepared. He noted that his country now faces a comparable lack of preparedness along its eastern maritime boundaries, stressing that Romania must take proactive steps to protect the waters under its national jurisdiction.
Addressing Bucharest's strategic ties with Washington, Dan voiced confidence in continued support from US President Donald Trump regarding both Black Sea security and Romania's position within the NATO alliance. He described the defense relationship as mutually beneficial, pointing out that Romania holds an advantageous geographic position to project force toward other regions. His comments come amid recent bellicose statements from Trump concerning European and Ukrainian security, including potential troop reductions and an alliance-wide force posture review.
Although the quarterly EU summit in the Belgian capital was convened primarily to debate aid for Ukraine, the bloc's long-term budget, and a growing trade deficit with China, the hostile maritime environment prompted Dan and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev to push security threats higher up the official agenda. Dan informed reporters after the summit that France had pledged to supply necessary equipment and work toward a clearer understanding of Romania's specific requirements in the Black Sea, adding that Bucharest is fortunate to rely on international partners during emerging challenges.
The mounting security risks also led the Romanian and Bulgarian leaders to hold a joint meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to request enhanced alliance support. During the discussions, Bulgaria specifically requested combat aircraft and anti-drone systems. In a subsequent statement published on social media platform X, Rutte affirmed that NATO would continue strengthening its deterrence and defense posture along the eastern flank by expanding counter-drone capabilities and adjusting its maritime presence in close coordination with Black Sea allies.
The push for alliance intervention follows sustained Russian attacks against Ukrainian port facilities along the Black Sea and the Danube River, which have forced Ukraine to rely on alternative maritime routes to export grain to markets in Africa and the Middle East. However, these diverted commercial lanes have left European shipping exposed to regional strikes. Commercial vessels operating off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria were hit by drones for three consecutive days leading up to the summit, as well as during the preceding week. At least one targeted merchant ship sank last week, resulting in the deaths of two seafarers.
While neither Bucharest nor Sofia has definitively attributed direct responsibility for the attacks to Moscow, Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev remarked earlier in the week that logic indicates the Kremlin stands to benefit from the deadly incursions, though proving responsibility remains difficult while official investigations continue. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted during a press conference following meetings with European leaders on Thursday that a ground invasion is not required for an incursion to occur, asserting that Russia is actively testing Europe's response through maritime strikes and airspace violations, including an explosive-laden drone recently discovered at an airport in Leipzig. Ukrainian officials have publicly blamed Moscow for several incidents, including the fatal drone strike on a grain ship off the Bulgarian coast.
