November 26, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 26.11.2025, 13:55
Military systems
Romania will soon have a new military system capable of shooting down drones that penetrate national airspace. The announcement was made by the Commander of United States Army Forces in Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue. During a visit to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base (southeast), jointly with Defense Minister Ionuţ Moşteanu, the American general said that Romania will always remain a central figure in this part of the Alliance. The visit to Constanța took place after yet another Russian drone flew over national territory.
Peace negotiations for the war in Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged caution regarding expectations around the US proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, stating that the plan still requires substantial negotiations, dpa reports. Rutte said that the plan, jointly revised by the United States and Ukraine, offers promising elements, but also unresolved issues that will require additional rounds of diplomatic talks. On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to the main points of the peace plan proposed by the USA, according to both governments. Washington presented a 28-point plan last week that was criticized by Ukraine and its European allies for reflecting Russian interests too heavily, Reuters reports. American, Ukrainian and European officials met in Geneva to revise the document, and Rutte described these negotiating sessions as productive, but only a first step towards more structured talks between the USA and Ukraine.
EU halts excessive budget deficit procedure for Romania
The European Commission has frozen the excessive budget deficit procedure for Romania on Tuesday, after finding that the Government’s measures are having positive effects. However, Romania must continue to implement the fiscal measures adopted or announced, in order to reduce the deficit below 3% by 2031. If the procedure had continued, Romania would have risked losing European funds.
National Defense Strategy
President Nicușor Dan is today expected to deliver a message during the joint session of the Chambers of Parliament regarding Romania’s National Defense Strategy for 2025-2030. The document was analyzed on Monday by the Supreme Council of National Defense and will be submitted for Parliament’s approval in today’s joint session. The Strategy expresses the vision of a modern and secure Romania, one that enjoys peace and its unique advantages, a state built around its citizens, in service of their fundamental rights and freedoms, with modern, transparent and ethical institutions, focused exclusively on serving the public good. Romania must be prepared to manage the risks of a large-scale, long-duration conflict near its borders, the document states. The strategy also affirms the need to increase the army’s combat capability and revitalize the national defense industry. Investment projects in this area, worth approximately €16 billion, will be carried out under the European SAFE mechanism, as specified in Romania’s new Defense Strategy.
EU budget
Germany remained the largest net contributor to the EU budget in 2024, despite a prolonged economic crisis, although its payments dropped significantly compared to previous years, according to a study by the German Economic Institute cited by Reuters. Last year, Europe’s largest economy contributed €13.1 billion more to the EU budget than it received. France ranked second with net payments to the EU budget of €4.8 billion, followed by Italy with €1.6 billion. On the other side, Greece was the largest net beneficiary, with €3.5 billion, followed by Poland with €2.9 billion and Romania with €2.7 billion.
2025 World Handball Championship kicks off
The Women’s World Handball Championship, hosted by the Netherlands and Germany, kicks off today. All 18 Romanian players coached by Ovidiu Mihăilă play in the domestic championship, three of them being naturalized. The national team will play all matches in Group A in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on November 27 against Croatia, on November 29 against Japan, and on December 1 against Denmark. Romania has participated in every edition of the Women’s World Handball Championship, and in 2023 finished 12th. (VP)
