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Iohannis: Russia expected weak international community; it was a wrong calculation
Russian drones are not attacking Romania, but the fact that their debris fall on the territory of our country creates a "real problem" and an "unacceptable" situation, President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday.
The head of state participated in the World Leaders Forum event with the theme "Romania's perspective on the war against Ukraine and its impact on security at the Black Sea", at Columbia University in New York and answered students' questions.
He recalled that there were three situations when debris of drones were discovered in our country. "Fortunately, no one has been injured so far, but that doesn't mean that these incidents don't matter," Iohannis pointed out.
The president explained that the Russian forces are attacking the small ports on the Ukrainian bank. "My explanation is that Russia wants to attack the transit of Ukrainian grain", the head of state pointed out.
Klaus Iohannis qualified Russia's attacks as war crimes.
"It is unacceptable. However, these attacks are war crimes, because they are not attacking military targets, but civilian targets, civilian infrastructure, people working in those ports. It was unacceptable in itself, from the beginning, but this proliferation is completely unacceptable ", said President Iohannis.
He mentioned the measures taken in Romania in this context.
"We discussed with the allies, we strengthened our anti-aircraft defense in the area, to protect our citizens, but still [the situation] remains unacceptable, despite the fact that Russia's intention is not to attack Romania. These drones are not attacking Romania, but, as they fall in Romania, this is a real problem that must be solved", said Klaus Iohannis.
The president also spoke about the situation of the Romanians on the Romanian side of the Danube, very close to the conflict.
"People are scared. If you live in a small village on the banks of the Danube and you see a drone falling near you, you think - 'Maybe the next one will fall on my house'", he said.
Iohannis emphasized, however, that people understand the importance of supporting Ukraine.
"Beyond the fear, they see why we have to be with Ukraine, because they see the bombings from the other side and think that if we sit and do nothing, maybe this will happen to us too", highlighted the head of state.