Romanian President Nikusor Dan said he does not believe that, at least at this stage, Russia is capable of attacking NATO, Agerpres reported, BTA reported.
In an interview with Digi 24 TV, Dan said that Russia has been waging an "information war" against the Western world since 2014, trying wherever possible to install a leadership favorable to it or to "sow distrust" among the population towards the Western democratic model. The Romanian president noted that the communication and technological tools used for this purpose are “very sophisticated“.
“Russia, with its faltering economy, is clearly trying to compensate for its military weaknesses by focusing on the population and influencing decisions that in a democratic society are made by democratic vote. So all this is supported by a propaganda narrative that says things like “We have nothing against you“, “Why don't you leave Ukraine alone, after all it is our internal matter“. That is my interpretation of things. In no case, at least at this stage, do I think that Russia is capable of attacking NATO“, said Nikusor Dan.
He stated that the probability of the conflict expanding beyond the borders of Ukraine was extremely small, and stressed that European and Western countries had demonstrated their determination to defend themselves. Dan recalled that a NATO meeting was organized just hours after Russian drones entered Polish airspace, and a few days later the alliance's defense ministers drew up a plan to strengthen the defense of the eastern flank.
The Romanian prime minister also noticed a strengthening of European solidarity in defense of the existing democratic model. “I really see a strengthening of European solidarity. The European Union is often questioned because of the way it functions. (…) Now, under pressure from Russia, I see - both publicly and in discussions between political leaders - a determination (of the EU) to protect this world, the valuable achievements that we have built,“ said Nikusor Dan.
He noted that Romania is in a good position in terms of cybersecurity, but is “one step behind Russia“ in terms of fighting disinformation.