Russian drone strike on a house in Romania will accelerate new EU sanctions - Foreign Minister

The EU will accelerate a new package of sanctions against Russia following a Russian drone strike on a high-rise building in Romania during a Russian attack on Ukraine, announced acting Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu after a conversation with EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas on Friday, UNN reports.

Details

"I had a telephone conversation with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP) Kaja Kallas following the serious incident caused by the crash of a Russian military drone into a building in Galați, Romania," Țoiu noted.

The acting Romanian Foreign Minister indicated that she "provided details of this violation of the EU country's airspace and its consequences for citizens."

"I received assurances of strong European solidarity in response to this irresponsible escalation by the Russian Federation. We will accelerate the new package of sanctions against Russia,"

Digi24 points out that the acting Romanian Foreign Minister also stated on Friday, after the drone crashed into an apartment building in Galați, that the incident "falls into the category that justifies" the activation of NATO Article 4.

Responding to a question about whether it is necessary to activate Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, Țoiu replied that "it is a tool that Romania can use." "Last night's incident belongs to the category of incidents that justify the use of such tools. It is about consultations between allied states when an allied state believes there is a risk. Obviously, the application of Article 4 is a joint decision. This is part of the discussion of the options we have at this moment," Țoiu clarified.

She also announced that the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We have summoned the ambassador of the Russian Federation to the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Romania's security is our absolute priority. We have confirmation from the Ministry of National Defense that the drone that crashed into a residential building in Galați was of Russian origin. The decision was made after this extremely serious incident, and we will officially communicate the consequences that this lack of responsibility on the part of the Russian Federation will have for diplomatic relations between our countries, as well as the next steps at the European level regarding sanctions packages. The President convened the Supreme Council of National Defense this morning," Țoiu wrote earlier on X.

At the same time, Radio Free Europe's Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak reported that "Romania will brief other EU ambassadors today on the Russian drone strike on buildings in Galați."

"There are currently no plans for an additional meeting of the North Atlantic Council of NATO," Jozwiak also indicated.

Reaction of the President of Romania

Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated that he convened a meeting of the country's Supreme Council of National Defense today "to discuss the consequences of the most serious incident that has occurred on national territory since the beginning of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine." "We will order proportional measures against the Russian Federation," Dan noted on X.

"The unprecedented nature of the event demands a firm, coordinated, and proportional response — at the national, allied, and international levels. I firmly state that full responsibility for this incident lies with the Russian Federation. What happened today in Galați is a direct consequence of the war of aggression unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, the irresponsible and indiscriminate way in which Moscow uses these weapon systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders, and the systematic disregard for international law. There is no ambiguity regarding the author and the cause of this aggression," the Romanian President emphasized.

"The Romanian armed forces acted in accordance with the procedures established for such situations, having a firm order to shoot down the drone as soon as conditions allowed for such an operation without the risk of casualties or destruction on the ground," Dan indicated. "The decision not to attack the target was made because conditions did not exist that would allow its destruction without the risk of a significant threat to civilian safety."

At the same time, he emphasized that "Romania's reaction is firm on several levels." According to him, the country has already "ordered and committed to taking the following measures, some of which have already been implemented":

1. Informing allies - all NATO allies and partners in the European Union have been informed of the incident. Communication with allied military structures continues in real-time.
2. Additional allied anti-drone capabilities - Romania has officially requested allies to move additional anti-drone capabilities to national territory to strengthen our defense and the Alliance's eastern flank in accordance with SACEUR instructions.
3. Appeal to the UN Security Council – Romania will officially notify the UN Security Council of this brutal and repeated violation of international law by the Russian Federation.

"The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Department for Emergency Situations, and the Romanian Intelligence Service have been mobilized. Together with local authorities in Galați, they are managing the consequences of the incident on-site. A full investigation into the circumstances of the drone crash has been launched, and a technical examination has been ordered to recover fragments to precisely determine the type of weapon and flight trajectory. I have requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately present a series of measures to be taken regarding relations with the Russian Federation, proportional to this very serious situation," the Romanian President noted.

He emphasized that "Romania is a NATO member state and under no circumstances will it accept that the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine be transferred to its citizens."

"Romania's support for Ukraine – political, humanitarian, military, and on the path to European integration – remains unwavering. The longer Russia continues this war, the more obvious it becomes that it must be ended with a just and lasting peace that respects the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Dan emphasized.

What the Romanian Government says

Acting Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, in a statement released by the Romanian government, said that "the Romanian government strongly condemns Russia's violation of our airspace." "We count on the support of NATO allies and the timely provision of anti-drone capabilities. We are also focusing on the rapid implementation of SAFE. The safety of our citizens remains our top priority, and all our authorities and political forces must be united in its defense," Bolojan emphasized.