European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has underscored the necessity of establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine before engaging in broader discussions about Europe’s security framework. During a meeting with Romanian President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest, von der Leyen emphasized that the immediate focus of the impending US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi should be to end the ongoing conflict.
Von der Leyen highlighted the importance of involving NATO allies and European Union member states in any future deliberations about Europe’s security architecture. She also revealed that the EU is developing a post-war economic recovery plan for Ukraine and working on security guarantees to safeguard against further Russian aggression.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan expressed concerns over increasing Russian threats to European security, citing 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 maintain regional trade and energy security.
In response to these threats, von der Leyen announced €50 million in funding aimed at strengthening the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub. This initiative will focus on enhancing maritime surveillance, improving information sharing, and protecting critical infrastructure. An additional €10 million is allocated to bolster Romania’s search-and-rescue operations.
Von der Leyen also commended Romania’s defense cooperation with Ukraine, particularly their efforts in joint drone production, and highlighted the availability of billions of euros in EU funding to enhance European defense capabilities. Both leaders called for increased regional cooperation and stronger security measures to address the growing Russian threats and to support stability across Europe.