Nicu\u0219or Dan explained that unlike the period before the invasion of Ukraine, European leaders are now treating the Russian threat more seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody thought, if you asked in 2020 or 2021, that Russia would attack Ukraine and try to conquer Kyiv,\u201d he said on The Brief with Jim Sciutto<\/em>.<\/p>\n Compared to then, European leaders have increased defense spending. While a direct attack is not likely, hybrid operations are a distinct reality, Dan argued.<\/p>\n In his view, the entry of Russian drones into the airspace of NATO states is not an intentional action. Romania experienced many such entries. On May 29, 2026, a Russian drone hit a residential building<\/a> in Gala\u021bi and injured two people. Several drones have also made incursions into Romanian airspace in recent months.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the case of the drones, I would say that they are not intentional. But as regards disinformation, hybrid attacks, attacks on critical infrastructure, submarine or land-based, sabotage, I think they are trying to do two things: undermine people\u2019s, citizens\u2019 trust in the authorities and undermine the support of European countries for Ukraine,” he said.<\/p>\n During the same interview, the Romanian president said that the United States has disproportionately provided for or contributed to the defense of Europe for a long time. \u201cPresident Trump is right: we need to rebalance this contribution,\u201d the president said.<\/p>\n The president also spoke about the importance of maintaining a strong US military presence in Europe. There are currently approximately 1,500 US troops in Romania, while a rotating contingent of approximately 500 troops that operated in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary was withdrawn, the head of state said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it would be a good signal to have a proportional redistribution of US troops within Europe,\u201d Nicu\u0219or Dan said.<\/p>\n The US military presence near the Black Sea and the Mediterranean represents \u201ca benefit for the United States,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n