Lithuania urges NATO to act more decisively after Russian drone incident in Romania

May 30, 2026 - 15:10

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has said NATO should respond more decisively by increasing pressure on Moscow after a Russian drone hit an apartment block in Romania.

Source: LRT, a Lithuanian state-funded public service broadcaster, citing Budrys, speaking to journalists on 30 May, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Budrys said that "in this particular case, NATO should indeed have responded more decisively".

Quote: "We have successful examples. The way NATO responded to incidents in Poland showed that it is possible to push these incidents away from the border and force Russia to take additional precautions. These decisions must be made along the entire front line."

More details: Budrys also said the EU's role is crucial in preventing such incidents.

Quote: "The European Union's financial instruments, which we are planning, could be implemented much earlier. This could be done through counter-drone measures, as well as other comprehensive measures to strengthen resilience."

More details: Budrys said the number of fighter jets carrying out air policing missions needed to be increased and border patrols strengthened.

Quote: "We have an opportunity to show that this comes at a cost. Not necessarily by striking back but by increasing the number of fighter jets, strengthening patrols and applying pressure directly at the border. This is how we should respond."

Background:

A Romanian Defence Ministry representative stated that a lack of time and the restrictions applied in peacetime conditions under which the country's military is forced to operate were the reasons the Russian drone was not shot down in the city of Galați.
Romania's Foreign Ministry described the crash of a Russian drone into a residential apartment building in Galați as a serious escalation by Moscow and summoned the Russian ambassador.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that the crash of the Russian drone into a residential building in Galați meets the criteria that justify invoking Article 4 of NATO regarding consultations with allies.