Romanian president Nicușor Dan appeared on conservative US television network Newsmax on Wednesday, October 21, to argue that the economic sanctions against Russia must continue because Moscow is unwilling to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Dan welcomed president Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine but expressed skepticism about Russian president Vladimir Putin’s willingness to negotiate a peace agreement.
“It is very good that the United States is getting involved in trying to establish peace in the war in Ukraine, because it affects the region’s economy and the global economy,” the head of state said, cited by News.ro. “But I do not think Russia is ready to sit down at the negotiating table.”
Nicușor Dan’s statements came as US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on the same day, following talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo on Tuesday, October 20.
Nicușor Dan said Russia’s economic difficulties underscore the need to maintain pressure while Washington pursues a diplomatic solution.
“We know that Russia is facing economic difficulties,” he said. “I think we must continue to impose economic sanctions on them.”
At the same time, Nicușor Dan praised Donald Trump’s call on European NATO members to take greater responsibility for their own defense instead of relying heavily on the United States.
“Once again, president Trump is right,” Dan said, adding that European NATO members, including Romania, recognize the need to increase defense spending.
Romania currently spends approximately 2.5% of its gross domestic product on defense and intends to increase this share, Nicușor Dan noted.
He also described the growing security threats along Romania’s border with Ukraine and in the Black Sea region. Dan highlighted an increase in Russian drone incursions into Romanian territory. Romania recorded 35 unauthorized drone incursions this year, compared with nine in 2025, according to figures cited during the interview.
Nicușor Dan also told Newsmax that Romania initially lacked adequate means of defense against these incursions but has strengthened its capabilities with the help of its NATO allies.
The Newsmax interview came after Dan also published an opinion editorial on Tuesday, October 20, in another conservative publication, The Daily Signal, arguing why strengthening the US troop presence in Romania would benefit the United States.
In a separate interview with “The Julie Mason Show,” broadcast by American satellite radio station SiriusXM, Nicușor Dan said that Romania can be a reliable partner for the US. The Romanian official argued that despite the five months of interim government, Romania’s economy has stabilized.
“But, on the other hand, we have met all the criteria for joining the OECD. So I expect us to become OECD members soon,” Nicușor Dan added.
The president continued by saying that Romania is “a very good place for investment,” pointing to the quality of the workforce, opportunities in the energy sector, and Romania’s tradition in technology, IT, and mathematics.
He once again argued in favor of strengthening US military presence in Romania. Finally, the head of state accused Russia of trying to escalate the conflict in Ukraine and involve other European countries in the war.
Asked what his greatest concerns regarding Romania are at the moment, Nicușor Dan replied that, “of course,” security is his “first concern.”
“And secondly, given that we are a stable country with a very dynamic economy, I believe we are not attracting enough foreign investment relative to our potential. Therefore, a large part of my work consists of attracting significant investments to Romania,” Nicușor Dan pointed out, cited by News.ro.
Context
Nicusor Dan’s statements walk a thin line, attempting to appease Donald Trump on some issues while going directly against his policies in others.
Earlier this month, the US and Russia reached an agreement for the latter to export 300,000 tons (2.25 million barrels) of diesel “to the American and global marketplace,” followed by 500,000 tonnes in November.
Shortly after the announcement, the Treasury Department issued a temporary license suspending US sanctions on Russian diesel deliveries until April 2027.
A few days ago, the US president blocked numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, prompting criticism from Republican and Democratic representatives.
Experts agree that the deal is not likely to lower gas prices in the US or the wider world. Instead, it provides Russia with cash to continue its war on Ukraine.
For this reason, last week, Ukrainian president Zelensky said he feels “betrayed” by Donald Trump after the Starlink system produced by Elon Musk’s SpaceX but managed by the US government was no longer working on terminals moving at speeds greater than 100mph. The slowdown effectively rendered most of the drones used by Ukraine to strike behind the front lines inoperable and affected the country’s best air defence system to stop Russian jet-powered attack drones bombing Kyiv, according to The Guardian. This, in turn, led to more Ukrainian deaths, as Trump continued to blame Zelensky for high gas prices worldwide.
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