European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized that a ceasefire in Ukraine should be the immediate focus, with broader security discussions in Europe to follow. Her remarks came during a meeting with Romanian President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest, where she highlighted the importance of the upcoming US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.
Von der Leyen underscored that future talks about Europe’s security architecture must include NATO allies and EU member states, ensuring a unified approach. She announced that the European Union is already working on a post-war economic recovery plan for Ukraine and developing security guarantees to deter further Russian aggression.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan expressed concerns about increasing Russian threats to European security, pointing to drone attacks, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. He stressed the importance of securing the Black Sea region to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as to support regional trade and energy security.
To bolster security, von der Leyen announced €50 million in funding for the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, aimed at enhancing maritime surveillance, information sharing, and the protection of critical infrastructure. An additional €10 million will be directed towards Romania’s search-and-rescue operations.
Von der Leyen also praised Romania’s defense cooperation with Ukraine, particularly their joint efforts in drone production, and noted the availability of billions of euros in EU funding to strengthen European defense capabilities. Both leaders called for increased regional cooperation and improved security measures to address the growing threats from Russia and to promote stability throughout Europe.