BUCHAREST: Romanian President Klaus Iohannis issued a stark warning on Monday, expressing concern over the security situation in the Black Sea following a Russian attack on Ukrainian port infrastructure at the Danube River bordering NATO member Romania.
Amateur footage circulating on social media captured the moment of explosion across the river, suggesting that drones targeted the Ukrainian port of Reni on the Danube.
Ukrainian officials reported that the drone attack lasted for four hours, inflicting damage on port facilities in the southern Odesa region. Reni, located on the Danube’s edge, serves as a vital Ukrainian port, forming a natural boundary with Romania and being in close proximity to the Moldovan border.
Romanian President Condemns Russian Attack
In response to the attack, President Iohannis took to Twitter to condemn Russia’s actions and express solidarity with Ukraine. He emphasized that the recent escalation posed significant risks to security in the Black Sea and also disrupted Ukrainian grain transit, impacting global food security.
The Danube delta region, stretching across both Romania and Ukraine, serves as an essential export route for Ukrainian grain. However, tensions escalated after Russia withdrew from a key deal that had allowed safe Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. In recent times, Kyiv has accused Russia of deliberately targeting grain supplies and crucial infrastructure vital for exports.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a substantial portion of Ukrainian grain exports has been channeled through Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta. In response to the situation, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called on Russia to cease air strikes on Ukrainian port facilities. He also pledged Romania’s continued support to help Ukraine find practical solutions for its grain exports to global markets.
