The Minister of Defense of Romania called on the NATO allies to take measures in connection with the increasing number of cases of intrusion of Russian missiles and drones into the airspace of the Alliance. The heads of the defense departments of the “Bucharest Nine” countries. met on September 18 in the capital of Romania. The central theme — strengthening the defense of the eastern flank of the Alliance, reports FREEDOM.
On the night of September 7-8, Russia violated the airspace of Romania. Russian attack drones flew into the territory of the country. Later, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that the drones had left the territory of Romania and were attacking populated areas of the Odesa region. Over the last month, Russian drones flew into Latvia, Romania and Poland.
“We have confirmed hybrid attacks on allies, as well as the participation of Belarus in Russia's actions. At the meeting of NATO defense ministers in October, it will be necessary to consider the issue of destroying drones entering the airspace of the Allies”, — said Deputy Minister of Defense of Poland Pawel Zalewski at the meeting of defense ministers of the “Bucharest Nine”.
Kyiv has repeatedly called on its allies to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over the territory of Ukraine, but Poland and Romania are not yet ready to do so. At the same time, the defense ministers of Romania, Poland and Latvia signed a joint letter to the Allies, in which they insist on the immediate introduction of NATO air defense rotation, and also demand that the Alliance take additional measures of deterrence, surveillance, reconnaissance and air patrols on the bloc's eastern flank.
“Member states of the “Bucharest Nine’” are concerned about situations with unauthorized intrusions of Russian drones into NATO airspace — in Poland, Romania, Latvia, as well as the escalation of tensions along the borders of the Alliance. We are in favor of defining some forms of coordinated response at the allied level”, — said the Minister of Defense of Romania, Angel Tilver, at the meeting of the defense ministers of the “Bucharest Nine”.
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In 2006, NATO countries agreed to allocate at least 2% of GDP to the sphere of security and defense. In 2023, only 11 states out of 31 fulfilled their financial obligations. At the same time, 2% of GDP — not enough, according to some leaders of the Alliance countries. Thus, Lithuania plans to increase national defense spending to 4% of GDP to be able to purchase long-range air defense systems and other military equipment.
“In my opinion, the goal we should be discussing — this is an increase in defense funding to 4% of GDP. It would allow us not only to keep what we want, but also to start looking at the national Patriot program, that is, the acquisition of long-range air defense systems, as well as combat helicopters that would be effective against enemy forces,”, — Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurinas Kaščiūnas said at the congress of the “Union of the Fatherland” party. Lithuanian Christian Democrats”.
The European Union is preparing for the inauguration of the first ever defense commissioner. Future Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said that the EU must immediately strengthen its defenses, as Russia is apparently preparing for war against the EU.
“ Defense ministers and NATO generals agree that Vladimir Putin may be ready for a confrontation with NATO and the EU in six to eight years. If these estimates are to be taken seriously, this is the time for which we must prepare. There is not much time. This means that we have to make quick and ambitious decisions”, — said candidate for the post of EU defense commissioner Andryus Kubilius in a comment to the Reuters agency.
Andryus Kubilius said: over the next few years, he plans to invest more than 500 billion euros in Europe's defense industry.< /p>