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The leaders of the European Union have sharply denounced Moscow’s “reckless” military escalation after a Russian drone crashed overnight in the eastern Romanian city of Galați, setting the roof of a residential apartment block on fire.
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The building was evacuated, and two people sustained minor injuries.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan described it as “the most serious incident to affect the national territory” since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and called for a “firm, coordinated and appropriate response” from European allies.
The crash comes amid heightened tensions after the Kremlin launched a massive bombardment of Kyiv over the weekend and threatened to strike foreign citizens, diplomats and international organisations in the city, prompting widespread outrage.
“Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president fo the European Commission, said on Friday morning. “A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. On EU territory.”
“We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people. As we continue strengthening our security and deterrence, especially on our Eastern border, we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia,” she added.
The Commission is already preparing a new package of economic sanctions against Russia, von der Leyen added. The last package was approved in April.
António Costa, the president of the European Council, slammed Russia’s “irresponsible” behaviour and expressed solidarity with the Romanian people.
“Russia’s escalation on EU territory is reckless and irresponsible. I condemn in the strongest terms this violation of Romania’s national airspace and of international law,” Costa said on social media.
“The EU is united in stepping up pressure on Russia through sanctions and strengthening defence capabilities, in particular along our Eastern border.”
High Representative Kaja Kallas spoke with her Romanian counterpart, Oana Țoiu, early on Friday to convey the bloc’s support and fine-tune the joint response.
“The Russian drone crash into apartments in Galați was a blatant and serious violation of Romania’s sovereignty and European airspace,” Kallas said.
“Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity.”
Kallas hosted an informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers on Thursday that discussed the possibility of engaging in direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, but ministers agreed that Moscow’s escalatory actions demonstrate a complete lack of willingness to engage in serious negotiations.
Across Europe, presidents and prime ministers took to social media to add their voices to the chorus of condemnation. Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Hungary’s Péter Magyar, the Czech Republic’s Andrej Babiš, Lithuania’s Gitanas Nausėda, Estonia’s Kristen Michal and Austria’s Christian Stocker were among those who spoke out.
Moldova’s Maia Sandu, whose country neighbours Romania, said: “Russia is a danger to all and must be stopped.”
This article has been updated with more reactions.
Read the full article here
