Oana Țoiu, the interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed, during the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the NATO states held in Helsingborg, Sweden, between May 21-22, 2026, that the Alliance must prepare for an increase in the hybrid pressures exerted by Russia.
Oana Țoiu, at the NATO Meeting in Helsingborg. PHOTO FB Oana Țoiu
The event focused on the preparation of the NATO Summit in Ankara, which will focus on the implementation of the commitments made in The Hague (including increasing defense spending and strengthening the transatlantic defense industry), on strengthening allied deterrence and defense on the entire Eastern Flank, as well as on continuing support to Ukraine.
The Romanian Foreign Minister showed, in this context, that the Summit in Ankara must represent a reconfirmation of transatlantic unity and solidarity and common commitments to strengthen collective defense and effective deterrence, based on a fair division of responsibilities between member states, according to a statement sent on Friday, May 22, by the MFA.
Oana Țoiu, supported the strengthening of the contribution of the European allies to the fulfillment of NATO objectives and, in particular, to ensuring the defense of Europe. He presented Romania's contributions in various fields and the priorities related to both the armed forces and the defense industry.
He also reiterated the need to continue support for Ukraine, stressing that Ukraine's security is the strongest indicator of maintaining and strengthening Euro-Atlantic security.
“Experts from all allied states will gather in Bucharest to build a common response”
Oana Țoiu pleaded for the resumption of peace efforts and the need for increased pressure on Russia to sit down at the negotiation table and emphasized the challenges that the security situation in the Black Sea region generates including for the Republic of Moldova, which needs support in order to increase resilience to the effects of war and to Russia's hybrid threats.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted Romania's efforts, together with other allies, for a more coordinated NATO response to hybrid threats and announced that Romania will host in Bucharest, in October, the allied symposium dedicated to this topic.
“Experts from all allied states will gather in Bucharest to build a common response, as we assess that the number and intensity of hybrid threats, especially coming from Russia, will increase in the allied space in the futurer”, declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
