President Nicușor Dan signs a new editorial published this time in the conservative American publication „The Daily Signal,” in which he warns that Romania is the country most exposed to the collateral effects of the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine and supports the strengthening of American military presence in the Black Sea region.
In the editorial titled „Steady on the Edge: Romania on NATO’s Black Sea Flank”, the head of state states that recent drone incidents demonstrate that the war has entered a dangerous escalation phase and that the strategic partnership between Bucharest and Washington must be deepened.
Nicușor Dan refers to several serious incidents in the Black Sea, including drone attacks on the commercial vessels Yara J and Wine Trader, after which the Romanian authorities intervened to rescue the crews.
He recalls that on October 14, at 8:16 p.m., Romanian naval authorities in Sulina received a distress call from the ship Yara J, under the flag of the Comoros Islands, which had been hit by drones. The search and rescue vessel Apollo, belonging to the Romanian Coast Guard, departed shortly from port to provide assistance.
In the morning of October 15, the chemical tanker Wine Trader sent out a distress signal and reported a fire on board, also following a drone attack. Two Romanian ships intervened to provide assistance. Five crew members, including the captain, were evacuated by a Black Hawk helicopter from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, while search operations continued to find seven other crew members.
The head of state also mentions the sinking of the ship Royad Mammadov, near Romanian territorial waters, as well as the ship Alfa Watan, off the territorial waters of Bulgaria, following maritime and aerial drone attacks.
“These incidents, along with the subsequent attacks, prove that the war waged by Russia against Ukraine has entered a dangerously escalating phase,” states Nicușor Dan in the editorial.
Romania is the most exposed to the effects of the war
The President asserts that since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, several hundred serious incidents of this kind have been recorded in the Black Sea. In his opinion, Romania is the country most exposed to the collateral effects of the conflict, considering its position on the western shore of the Black Sea, where the consequences of the war are most directly felt.
Nicușor Dan warns that Romania is affected by the entire spectrum of the hybrid war attributed to the Russian Federation, from cyberattacks and sabotage to incursions of aerial and maritime drones, challenges, and information warfare campaigns.
In this context, the head of state argues that Romania remains calm, strengthens its defense capabilities, and contributes to deterring the conflict from spreading to NATO territory.
“Romania stands firm, defends itself, and deters the spread of war,” affirms the President, emphasizing that Bucharest's actions are crucial for all allies.
The Role of American Troops in Romania
In the editorial, Nicușor Dan highlights the importance of the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States for regional security and the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank.
The presence of American troops at the bases in Mihail Kogălniceanu, Câmpia Turzii, and Deveselu contributes, according to the President, to deterring Russia, keeping the war away from allied territory, and reducing the risk of a large-scale confrontation.
The head of state argues that Romania's investments in military infrastructure and alignment with Washington's strategic objectives allow the United States to project its power in strategically important regions such as the Black Sea, Ukraine, the Caucasus, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
Nicușor Dan recalls Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury (two American military operations against Iran), which he presents as recent examples of the strategic value Romania brings to the United States.
“Romania is safer today thanks to its alliance with the United States. In turn, NATO is stronger thanks to the contribution of the Romanian-American partnership,” states the President.
Romania Seeks Stronger American Presence in the Black Sea
Nicușor Dan believes that recent drone incidents necessitate raising the level of ambition in the strategic relationship between Romania and the United States.
The President states that Romania is prepared to continue investing in military capabilities, bases, and training ranges and to assume additional responsibilities and costs to strengthen American presence in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea.
The objective is for a stronger American military presence to become more strategically useful and less costly.
“This is in the interest of the United States, Romania itself, and the entire free world,” concludes Nicușor Dan in the editorial published by The Daily Signal.
Nicușor Dan, the Month, and the Editorial in the American Press
This is the fourth opinion article signed by the President of Romania and published in the last four months in the overseas press.
In July, Nicușor Dan stated, in an opinion article published by Newsmax.com, considered one of the most influential conservative media outlets in the United States, that American leadership is deeply respected among Romanians, being a strong ally committed to defending peace, security, and freedom. The partnership between the U.S. and Romania deserves more than gratitude and must be further consolidated, defended, and projected with even greater ambition in the future, he emphasized.
In August, the head of state addressed the United States, in an editorial published in Fox News, stating that Romania is ready to increase both the level of commitments and the speed at which they are fulfilled, in the context of the threat posed by Russia and the strategic importance of the Black Sea.
And in September, Nicușor Dan signed a new editorial published by The Washington Times, on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, where he recalls that "on that fateful day, free people everywhere stood with America," and "in a very real sense," all Romanians were Americans for a day.
It is worth noting that the Presidential Administration announced in May that it had signed a contract for strategic consultancy for relations with the U.S. Government and Congress. The agreement has an initial duration of six months, with a maximum remuneration cap of $565,000 per month. Therefore, the total amount paid from public funds will be $3.39 million for the entire contract duration.
The contract was concluded with the firm Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, a global company present in Romania, which the Presidential Administration mentions has significant experience in government relations and strategic consultancy.