SouthernWorldwide.com – Romania has responded to former President Donald Trump’s call for increased defense spending and a greater role in global security by offering its military infrastructure for defensive operations and emphasizing its commitment to diplomatic efforts. Romania’s interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Oana-Silvia Ţoiu, stated that the country is not seeking to be part of any war but is dedicated to ensuring common defense and a diplomatic solution for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Țoiu explained in an exclusive interview at the United Nations that Romania has permitted access to defensive activities, such as air refueling, recognizing the necessity for allies to depend on each other. This move aligns with President Trump’s consistent urging for European allies to bolster their defense budgets and contribute more significantly to global security, particularly maritime security in the Middle East.
The Romanian minister acknowledged the existing tensions between Washington and some European allies concerning support for conflicts in the Middle East. However, she stressed that both sides understand the importance of enhanced coordination. Bucharest has officially approved the use of its military bases and infrastructure for defensive operations related to regional security efforts.
“Romania has approved through Parliament the proposal of the President, the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry for defense and the prime minister, the use of our military bases and infrastructure for defensive activities, for activities such as air-fuelling, for example, because we are aware of the fact that it is needed that we trust each other,” Țoiu stated.
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She further elaborated on shared objectives between Europe and the U.S., including the reduction of energy prices and the unimpeded flow of fertilizers. These comments come at a time when Romania, a NATO member situated on Ukraine’s border, has become a crucial state on the alliance’s eastern flank, amidst escalating concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine and regional instability in the Middle East.
Țoiu confirmed Romania’s agreement with President Trump on the necessity of increasing defense budgets. She pointed out that Romania had already raised its defense spending to 2% of its GDP during Trump’s previous term. The country now plans to allocate an average of 3.4% of its GDP next year, a figure that will be achieved through a combination of military procurement and strategic infrastructure investments.
These statements were made shortly after Romania requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The request followed a Russian drone strike that impacted a residential building in the Romanian city of Galați on May 29. This incident marked a significant moment, being the first time in Romania’s approximately 70-year history at the UN that it sought a Security Council session due to a direct threat to its national security.
During the Security Council briefing, Țoiu detailed how a drone carrying explosives breached Romanian airspace for about four minutes before crashing into a residential building, causing injuries to a mother and child. She indicated that the drone was believed to be part of a broader Russian assault targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine near the Danube River.
“We wanted to call on the international community to make sure we collectively state that this is a blatant violation of international law,” she asserted. “And irrespective of whether that was the intention or not, the responsibility is very clear. And these reckless escalations need to stop.”
Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, contested these accusations, labeling them as “unfounded and biased.” Nebenzya suggested that if a Geran-2 drone had indeed struck the building directly, the damage would have been considerably more severe, citing Romanian media footage that he claimed showed only fire damage rather than complete destruction.
He called for a “thorough, objective, and depoliticized investigation” that would include Russia. Nebenzya also proposed that the incident might have been a Ukrainian provocation aimed at drawing NATO further into the conflict. Țoiu countered Moscow’s stance, questioning how a permanent member of the Security Council could simultaneously act as an aggressor nation.
“We do now have a question that’s not just a question on Romania’s side, but the question of the international community of how can a member of the Security Council contribute to its mission there, which is peace and security, while also being an aggressor state,” she questioned. “And of course, its veto [is not currently] used towards peace and security.”
The United States, along with over 50 other nations, supported Romania by backing a joint statement that condemned the drone strike. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, later shared on X that he had met with Țoiu following the “reckless Russian drone strike on a Romanian apartment building.” He emphasized, “The violence must end before more innocent people suffer.”
Țoiu confirmed that the United States had joined their joint statement, sending a clear public message regarding the attack. She added, “We are working with the United States not just through our partnership in NATO, but also strategic partners.”
