Romanian president Nicu\u0219or Dan said NATO states must increase defense spending during the opening statements given at the Bucharest Nine (B9) Summit, which took place on Wednesday, May 13, in the Romanian capital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The B9 is an alliance of the nine NATO countries located in Eastern Europe, the countries geographically closest to Russia, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. The general theme of the event in Bucharest is \u201cDelivering More for Transatlantic Security,\u201d according to the Romanian Presidential Administration.<\/p>\n
The summit is co-chaired by the Romanian president and his Polish counterpart, conservative Karol Nawrocki. Numerous officials from partners in the region and the United States are in attendance.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky represents Ukraine and arrived in Bucharest along with first lady Olena Zelenska. Also in attendance are NATO head Mark Rutte, representatives of the United States, the Scandinavian states, and the eastern flank NATO states.<\/p>\n
The Romanian president opened the summit proceedings with a statement regarding the objectives of the meeting. \u201cWe are close to Ukraine, close to the Black Sea, and close to areas where allied territory is threatened. Our goal is to align our visions regarding the future of NATO. For each of our countries, there is a priority for its own security and for strengthening the transatlantic relationship,\u201d Nicusor Dan said.<\/p>\n
He then pleaded for an increase in defense spending. \u201cWe must increase our contribution to the Alliance and build a solid transatlantic military-industrial base. It is an opportunity to see where we stand in implementing the commitments we made at the NATO summit in The Hague, and it is an opportunity to reaffirm our support for Ukraine and Moldova. Their security determines our security,\u201d said the president.<\/p>\n