Rutte announces NATO is strengthening air defense in Black Sea region

Ukrinform reported this.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked Romania for supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and noted that NATO is ready to effectively defend each ally, including in the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to the Alliance.

‘Today we discussed the need for further assistance for Ukraine. Romania is a committed friend of Ukraine and provides substantial assistance, including the Patriot system to support critical air defense. You have also signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine, which underlines the sustained nature of your support,’ Rutte said in Brussels during a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

He reminded that NATO is currently working to fulfil the commitments made during the Washington Summit, and that support for Ukraine remains as important as ever for its member states.

‘We are seeing a dangerous expansion of the war, with North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian troops against Ukraine. This is in addition to the munitions supplies provided to Russia by North Korea, drones from Iran and dual-use goods supplied by China. All of this fuels Russia's war machine. This war demonstrates that our security is truly global,’ the NATO Secretary General stressed.

He stressed that Russia's war against Ukraine only underscores the need to strengthen the air defense system. This remains one of the Alliance's key priorities. Today, the NATO and Romanian leaders discussed, among other things, the Allies' joint efforts to protect Romanian airspace from Russian violations and provocations.

‘The ongoing intrusions of Russian drones and missiles into NATO airspace are reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable. NATO has already stepped up its air defenses on its eastern flank, and right now, Allies are inducting hundreds of 5th generation combat aircraft. I can tell you, Prime Minister, that NATO takes the security of the Black Sea region very seriously. We are ready to protect and defend every ally,’ Rutte said.

• The Romanian Ministry of Defense has prepared and submitted for public discussion a draft law that allows shooting down drones that violate the country's airspace.
• During the massive attack on Ukraine, Russian enemy missiles and drones violated Moldova's airspace.