Zelensky Invites Romanian President Nicușor Dan to Ukraine During B9 Summit in Vilnius
Vilnius, The Gulf Observer: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended a formal invitation to Romanian President Nicușor Dan to visit Ukraine, ahead of a bilateral meeting during the Bucharest Nine (B9) and Nordic Countries Summit held in Vilnius on Monday.
Speaking to the press upon his arrival at the summit, President Zelensky emphasized the significance of Romania in Ukraine’s regional and diplomatic priorities. “Romania is very important,” Zelensky stated, as quoted by Euronews Romania. “Today I will have a meeting with the president of Romania. It is an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations — not only European matters, but also topics on the bilateral agenda. I have already invited the president of Romania to visit Ukraine.”
The summit marks President Nicușor Dan’s first official foreign visit since assuming office. The high-level gathering is being attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Zelensky, and representatives from NATO allies including Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland.
The discussions in Vilnius serve as a preparatory step toward the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, scheduled for late June. Topics on the agenda include reinforcing NATO’s deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank, increasing military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, and encouraging greater defense investment among European allies.
According to a statement from the Presidential Administration of Romania, President Dan is also expected to advocate for enhanced support for the Republic of Moldova, citing the complex security challenges it faces in the context of ongoing regional instability.
One of the early conclusions of the Vilnius summit was the announcement that Romania will host the next Bucharest Nine (B9) summit in 2026. Leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to bolster defense spending, with a shared objective of investing at least 5% of GDP to confront threats posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
President Dan arrived in Vilnius aboard a C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft from the Romanian Air Force fleet, underscoring the growing role of defense coordination in Romania’s foreign policy posture.
