The Russian threat is not limited to Ukraine, as Russia is waging a hybrid war against Europe aimed, among other things, at weakening support for Kyiv, Romanian President Nicușor Dan said during the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“The threat posed by the Russian Federation is not limited to Ukraine alone. Europe is the target of hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, sabotage and disruption of critical infrastructure, aimed at undermining citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and weakening support for Ukraine,” Dan said.
He stressed the need to deter the Russian threat and increase military spending. According to Dan, Romania supports the target of spending 5% of GDP on defence, while the country is currently allocating 3.7%.
“We have said it before and we repeat it again: Romania will stand with Ukraine and its people, who are exercising their legitimate right to self-defence, for as long as necessary,” the president said.
The Romanian leader described the full-scale war against Ukraine as an “illegal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression” being waged by Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“This member of the Council, entrusted by the entire UN community with responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, has deliberately abandoned its fundamental obligation and is pursuing a revisionist policy,” Dan said.
He also said Romania was directly experiencing the consequences of the war, pointing to repeated violations of its airspace. The president recalled that several months ago a drone crashed into a residential building in Romania, causing injuries and property damage.
Dan noted that Romania has provided assistance to Ukrainian refugees and, following Russian strikes on ports and grain infrastructure, coordinated with Ukraine to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romanian territory.
He also recalled that Romania, together with Bulgaria and Turkey, participates in a Black Sea mine countermeasures group tasked with detecting and neutralising mines and protecting critical underwater infrastructure. Romania and Bulgaria are also establishing a maritime security hub.
Romania has also expanded its energy interconnections with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
Separately, the Romanian president stressed his country’s support for Moldova, which is facing the consequences of Russian aggression and a hybrid campaign involving disinformation, energy pressure and attempts to destabilise democratic institutions.
Dan also noted that Romania had joined initiatives launched by the first ladies of the United States, Ukraine and Turkey to support children and education, promote digital education and improve children’s safety in the digital age.
