The North Atlantic Council and Black Sea Defense
The North Atlantic Council has decided that defense capabilities in the Black Sea region need to be strengthened
Roxana Vasile, 11.06.2026, 14:00
The North Atlantic Council, gathered on Wednesday at Romania’s request, decided that defense capabilities in the Black Sea region need to be strengthened. The ambassadors of the NATO member countries expressed their solidarity with Romania, and, according to sources cited by Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, Bucharest will receive assistance to defend itself against aerial and maritime drones that, amid the war in neighboring Ukraine, frequently enter its national airspace.
Recently, within the span of just a few days, a Ukrainian naval drone jammed by Russia entered the Port of Constanța without being detected in advance; it exploded, and it was only by sheer luck that it did not cause a major disaster. Earlier, a Russian aerial drone had crashed into an apartment building in the Danube city of Galați, injuring two people and causing property damage. In an interview with TVR Info, Acting Minister of Defense Radu Miruţă explained that the Romanian military is currently doing everything it can with the resources at its disposal:
ʺWhen I arrived at the Ministry of Defense and saw that our current capabilities did not cover all scenarios, I sent a letter to NATO specifying exactly what we believed we needed—low-altitude radars, interceptors, and various other ground-based air defense systems… The NATO officials conducted a technical review and said, ‘Yes, we confirm that what you have proposed is truly necessary’.”
In addition to France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the United States, other allies have reportedly confirmed that they are assessing what equipment they can send to Romania. Moreover, a new strategic shift will be evident in the Alliance’s plans not only in the Black Sea region but in all waters where NATO has a presence. A decision to this effect is expected to be confirmed at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, early next month.
Acting Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu also spoke about Romania’s expectations:
ʺFirst of all, the measures that must be taken jointly within NATO and the contribution we are discussing with our allies pertain to military measures and enhanced capabilities, whether we are talking about radars, anti-drone systems, or accelerating their deployment on the eastern flank. As for Romania, we have this procurement process and an allocation through the SAFE program, but, as both the president and the defense minister have said, we are looking at a period of about one and a half to two years until they are delivered. Therefore, during this period, it is essential to see enhanced capabilities through the participation of our allies.”
President Nicuşor Dan welcomed the results of Wednesday’s meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels. Given that Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to pose major risks to Euro-Atlantic security, the head of state emphasized that it is important for NATO to strengthen its presence and capabilities in Romania. In a Facebook post, he also emphasized that Black Sea security is essential for protecting critical infrastructure and strategic energy projects. (MI)
