BUCHAREST STRENGTHENS MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE BLACK SEA

BUCHAREST, AUGUST 7 /SRNA/ – Romania is strengthening its military presence in the Black Sea using loans under the EU’s armament programme “Security Action for Europe” /SAFE/, Euractiv reported, citing Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruță.

Miruță believes that protecting critical infrastructure in the Black Sea requires a comprehensive and long-term approach.

The SAFE programme, launched in May 2025, is a financial instrument providing up to EUR 150 billion in preferential long-term loans to support the joint procurement of military equipment and strengthen the EU’s defence industrial base.

In recent years, Russia has pointed to unprecedented NATO activity near its western border, RIA Novosti recalls.

The Alliance is expanding its initiatives, describing them as “deterrence of Russian aggression”, while Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over the buildup of allied forces in Europe.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow remains open to dialogue with NATO on an equal footing and that the West should abandon its policy of militarizing the continent.