There Are Success Stories: Lithuania Urged NATO To Act More Decisively

• 30.05.2026, 13:52

After the Russian Federation drone incident in Romania.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kiastutis Budrys said after a Russian drone crashed into a high-rise building in Romania that NATO should react more forcefully by increasing pressure on Russia.

He said this while speaking to reporters on Saturday, May 30, writes LRT.

Budris said that "in this particular case, NATO really should have reacted more decisively."

"We have successful examples. The way NATO responded to the incidents in Poland showed that it is possible to move these incidents away from the border and force Russia to take extra precautions. These decisions should be taken along the entire front line," he said.

The EU's role is also crucial in preventing such incidents, according to the minister.

"The European Union's financial instruments that we are planning could have been implemented much earlier. Through counter-drone measures, as well as other comprehensive measures to increase resilience," the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.

He said it was necessary to increase the number of fighter jets carrying out airspace patrol missions, as well as to strengthen patrols on the border.

"We have the opportunity to show that this has a certain price. Not necessarily by striking back, but by increasing the number of fighter jets, increasing patrols and pressure directly on the border. This is how we should react," Budris added.

The Romanian military explained that it did not have time to shoot down the drone due to a lack of time to react and a number of peacetime restrictions.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry called the incident a "serious and irresponsible escalation" by Russia and summoned the Russian ambassador.

Romania sees grounds to activate the "advisory" Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty and is asking allies to redeploy additional assets to combat drones.