President Nicușor Dan said Romania will continue to support Ukraine and regional security efforts following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.
He argued an investment in Ukraine’s defense amounted to an investment in Romania’s own security.
Dan attended the meeting on Monday, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
In a post on social media, Dan said discussions among coalition members reaffirmed the need for Europe and its partners to remain engaged in building a strong framework of security guarantees for Ukraine.
“As we move forward with concrete actions and coordinated planning, our joint efforts must remain focused on achieving a ceasefire and, ultimately, a just, lasting and sustainable peace,” the president said.
He added that Romania would continue to act as “a responsible ally and a reliable partner” in support of that objective.
“Our immediate priority remains ensuring freedom of navigation and protecting commercial shipping routes in the Black Sea,” he added.
“Investing in Ukraine’s defense and security is an investment in our own security, and Ukraine must be able to negotiate peace from a position of strength.”
The president also said he reiterated calls for greater attention to the security of Moldova, welcoming the presence of the country at the talks and its formal accession to the initiative. Moldova lies between EU and NATO member Romania and Ukraine.
In a related development, acting Defense Minister Radu Miruțǎ said that 15 Ukrainian drone manufacturers have expressed interest in partnering with Romania to produce drones domestically.
He said the project is scheduled to be completed by 2030, with Romanian authorities pressing for production to begin as soon as possible.
Romania wants the joint production to take place domestically at facilities operated by the Defense Ministry, the minister said.
