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Romania's Defence Minister Gabriel Les testified on Tuesday before the Senate Defence Committee in relation with the issue between Ukraine and Russia, saying that he believes "diplomacy and political dialogue have not yet had their last word" in this conflict and emphasising that Romania is monitoring the situation very closely.
According to Minister Les, on December 11, when a meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) is scheduled, information on this issue is very likely to exist.
"I briefed them on the situation in Ukraine, which was the subject for which I was invited here; I was accompanied by the general that provides analyses on such topics. From my point of view, I am urging the media and the people to stay calm, as I do not want to escalate such a subject that is sensible nonetheless. I strongly believe that diplomacy and political dialogue have not yet had their last word and this is the most important one. On the other hand, Romania and the Ministry of National Defense are monitoring this situation very carefully and, of course, being part of the bodies of the European Union and NATO, the decisions are taken at this level," Les said upon leaving the Senate Defence Committee.
Asked if there is a question of calling a CSAT meeting on the subject, the minister said: "I know that there is a CSAT meeting on December 11, but I do not know about another convention. It is very possible that information on this subject will have to be provided to the CSAT."
As for the intensification of the actions of the Russian Federation in the Black Sea, Les said that "Romania has so far done its duty very well inside the NATO bodies."
"We believe that Romania has done, so far, its duty quite well inside the NATO bodies, raising the Black Sea to the level it needs, given that we are talking about the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance. Once again, we know about and monitor jointly with NATO everything that happens there," said Les.
