Oana Toiu (Oana Coju) stated that so far there are no signs that Russia deliberately targeted a 10-story apartment building in Galați on Friday, but Moscow, which has been waging war against Ukraine for more than four years, is responsible for this strike.
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“It is absolutely clear that we need to increase airspace surveillance and air defense capabilities across the entire eastern (NATO) flank,” O. Toiu told journalists in Paris.
“But the pressure on us is even greater,” she said, adding that NATO and European Union (EU) member Romania has a long border with Ukraine, stretching along the Danube River and reaching the Black Sea.
O. Toiu said it will take another year or two to receive new equipment from Romania’s own defense public procurement.
However, she added that Bucharest is negotiating with NATO to increase capabilities in the short term and is also cooperating with Kyiv on a joint drone air defense project.
The minister said that on May 29, Romania was aware of the incoming drone, but air force pilots decided not to shoot it down, fearing that the air defense missile itself could cause damage on the ground.
Although this was the first such incident in which people were harmed in Romania, O. Toiu said there have been more than 40 cases of drone incursions into Romanian territory.
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“There is a general consensus that we need better air defense on the eastern flank, not just Romania’s,” she said.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said over the weekend that Bucharest confirmed the drone used in the strike was a “Geran-2” and stated that it is “of Russian origin.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that no one can reliably determine the origin of the aircraft until a thorough investigation is conducted.
O. Toiu said Kyiv “now holds the front line stronger” and is ready for negotiations on a ceasefire in the conflict triggered by Russia’s large-scale invasion in 2022.
However, “greater pressure” is needed for Moscow to show interest in diplomacy, emphasized the Romanian foreign minister.
She added that there is currently “no scenario” under which Russia could achieve a “complete victory” in the war.
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