Romania’s Nicușor Dan arrives at EU summit demanding drone condemnation, faster enlargement and eastern defence
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for the summer European Council, Romanian President Nicușor Dan joins the talks with demands for a firm response to Russian drone incursions, accelerated accession for Ukraine and Moldova, and a robust long-term budget.
Domestic political backdrop
President Nicușor Dan left for Brussels while Bucharest faces a government crisis. Prime minister-designate Adrian Veștea, nominated by Dan without consulting the National Liberal Party, was expected to present his cabinet list and programme on Thursday but has not yet secured the 233 parliamentary votes needed. The president made no public statement on the crisis before departing and is likely to face questions from journalists on the summit sidelines.
Pushing for EU enlargement
Dan intends to welcome the opening, on 15 June 2026, of the first negotiating chapter – Fundamental Elements – for Ukraine and Moldova’s accession. He will argue that all remaining chapters must be opened as soon as possible and that a strong signal of support should be sent to Chișinău ahead of the EU‑Moldova Summit scheduled for 22 June, immediately after the Council.
Romania supports maintaining a unified and firm European approach, increasing pressure on the Russian Federation, including through the adoption of the 21st sanctions package.
Security demands on the Eastern Flank
Against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression, Dan will press for the summit’s conclusions to properly reflect recent drone incidents that have affected several EU member states’ airspace and civilians, including in Romania. He will call for a clear condemnation of Moscow’s repeated violations and will advocate concrete progress on EU defence preparedness. Particular attention will be given to the Eastern Flank and to operationalising the “Eastern Flank Watch” project, while ensuring complementarity with NATO.
The EU’s next long-term budget
Leaders will hold an initial discussion on the 2028‑2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. Romania will back an “ambitious” European budget that keeps cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy well funded and gives member states and companies broad access to competitiveness instruments. The talks come amid resistance from the largest net contributors.
Trade tensions with China
A separate dinner session will tackle global macroeconomic imbalances, widely seen as code for Europe’s dependence on an increasingly assertive China. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her chief of staff Björn Seibert are pushing for political support to investigate alleged dumping of cheap goods on the European market and are considering an “anti‑overcapacity instrument”. However, several diplomats stress that no one wants a trade war – the EU remains China’s largest export market, worth $560 billion in 2025, and European industries still need Chinese raw materials and components.
- First negotiation chapter opened for Ukraine and Moldova's EU accession.
- European Council summit begins; speeches by Roberta Metsola and Volodimir Zelenski.
- Dinner discussion on global macroeconomic imbalances and China trade.
- Negotiations on the EU's 2028–2034 long-term budget.
- EU–Moldova Summit planned in Brussels.
