WASHINGTON, DC - Amid escalating hybrid warfare from Russia, Romania is demanding NATO step up its defense commitment all the way to the Black Sea.
Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu, a key member of the new Romanian administration, spent Thursday in Washington engaging with US partners and think tanks, including a public address at the Hudson Institute focused on Black Sea security, the war in Ukraine, and Russia's mounting hybrid attacks.
Her high-stakes visit comes as tensions between Moscow and the West continue to boil. Russia has repeatedly violated NATO airspace, with drone debris falling into Romania dozens of times and a major incident on September 13 where a drone spent 50 minutes in Romanian airspace.
In late August, a Russian naval drone also struck a Ukrainian vessel in the Danube Delta near the Romanian border.
On Wednesday, Minister Țoiu met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review elements of the bilateral strategic dialogue, covering strengthened defense, energy, and border security cooperation.
Minister Țoiu issued a clear challenge to the Alliance, stressing that Russia's aggressive actions on NATO's eastern edge require a firm collective response.
She asserted that the incursions, which have occurred "not just in Romania, but in other countries on the eastern flank," have actually been "a moment where we have proved solidarity among us."
The top diplomat emphasized that the diplomatic response was "fast," "very clear," and "at a high level." This demonstrated "as an international community that the security of one of us is the security of all of us."
According to her, this swift action is vital "not just from a deterrence point of view, but also from a citizen's point of view - when you look at who is close to your country, who you can rely on."
Romania is contributing to the conversation in the NATO format regarding the "Eastern century initiative," which aims "to make sure we have an even better defense on the eastern flank."
Most crucially, Minister Țoiu stressed the geographic imperative: "For Romania, obviously, it is extremely important that it is very clear that when we speak of the eastern flank, we speak of the eastern flank until the Black Sea."
She added that she believes "there is an understanding on the risks of the region, and also the importance of the US presence there."
Minister Țoiu condemned Russia's diplomatic maneuvering following recent drone incidents, calling Moscow's denials a "typical tactic to try to move away from the actual problem."
She explained that despite Russian officials claiming they "do not recognize and they do not know" how Romania could identify the drone as theirs, the evidence was clear.
"The pilots have seen the drone and they were able to identify the design, the model that was only used at our border by the Russian forces," she clarified. She scoffed at the denial, stating, "obviously, Russians do not need Romanians to tell them that they have Russian drones. It's clearly something that they are aware of."
She further confirmed that "Iran is a contributor for Russia" in its war in Ukraine, noting that even the drone that entered Romanian airspace "is of Iranian design."
The minister called the "economy part absolutely essential" to increasing pressure on Moscow. Romania is supporting the EU's 19th package of sanctions, she said.
She also supports the request that all member states "try and succeed to cut off from Russian energy sources" because "it is highly likely that part of the profit that Russia is doing from this is also used to finance the war operations."
To enforce this, Romania has changed its law. What was previously "just a financial consequence" for sanction evasion has been converted "into something that is punishable also with jail time up to 12 years."
This proposal "has been adopted by the [Romanian] government as a project to change the law and sent to Parliament."
Romania, which shares the longest land border with Ukraine of any EU state, is prioritizing continued support for Kyiv and securing vital Black Sea access.
The top diplomat stated that while "Romania and Ukraine did not always have the good relationship we have now, but now we are in a very good moment on both sides."
This relationship involves support such as the "Patriot that we have provided to Ukraine." The "freedom of navigation is absolutely essential" and has already proven vital for "the export of cereals" and "humanitarian flows."
Romania is actively working with its partners to manage regional threats, with Minister Țoiu confirming: "One thing that we're doing now, together with Bulgaria and Turkey, is that we're having common demining activities."
She added that allies "need to acknowledge that Ukraine itself is contributing to the security of the Black Sea with its efforts."
The Constanța harbor has its own importance and will have increased importance during the reconstruction phase for Ukraine, she said. The Romanian port of Constanța is already a major transit hub for Ukrainian grain exports due to the war, and it is expected to become a main logistics hub for the materials needed for Ukraine's future reconstruction efforts.
Looking ahead, Romania is leveraging the NATO decision at The Hague as an opportunity "to modernize and invest in our defense industry," the minister said.
There is also a common proposal with Ukraine "where drones can be produced in Romania with common technology that might be of interest for United States investors as well," she concluded.