May 29 (Reuters) - Romania said on Friday that a drone injured two people in a southeastern city during an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, an incident likely to increase tensions on NATO's eastern flank.
Here are some reactions:
ROMANIAN PRESIDENT NICUSOR DAN
"Romania is a NATO member state and will not accept, under any circumstances, that the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine be transferred to its citizens.
"The unprecedented nature of the event demands a firm, coordinated and proportionate response - at national, allied and international level."
He added later: "I want to thank our partners for their solidarity, in the EU and NATO; this ... proves there is Euroatlantic solidarity and unity."
NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE
"NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones.
"Russia's reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don't stop at the border."
OUTGOING ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER ILIE BOLOJAN
"This situation is unacceptable and represents a new violation of airspace, generated by the irresponsible and unjustified continuation of the war waged by Russia in Ukraine."
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN
"Russia's war of aggression has crossed yet another line.
"A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. On EU territory.
"We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ
"Russia's reckless drone incursion into Romania shows once again Russia's willingness to escalate. Germany stands with our NATO Allies. The incident once again underscores the need for strong NATO posture on the Eastern flank. We are ready to defend every inch of Allied territory."
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY
"We are ready to support Romania in whatever way is necessary under these circumstances. We count on the European Union's new sanctions measures against Russia to be truly strong and to make Russia feel that its strikes mean significant losses for Russia itself."
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NATO MATTHEW WHITAKER
"We stand with our NATO Ally Romania and condemn this reckless incursion on its territory. Our thoughts are with the injured in Galati. We will defend every inch of NATO territory."
UK FOREIGN MINISTER YVETTE COOPER
"Russia's violation of NATO airspace, hitting a residential building in Romania, is extremely dangerous and reckless."
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY
"Another escalation in Russia’s unjust war of aggression against Ukraine. This incident is a serious violation of Romanian airspace and international law by Russia."
EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS
"Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity."
POLISH PRESIDENT KAROL NAWROCKI
"I stand in solidarity with President Nicusor Dan and the entire Romanian nation. What happened is another installment of the hybrid war in which NATO's eastern flank countries are participating."
FRENCH MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS BENJAMIN HADDAD
"Russia has not only attacked Ukraine, but also threatened the European security architecture."
MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT MAIA SANDU
"I strongly condemn Russian drones striking Romanians in their homes. This is grave.
"Russia is a danger to all and must be stopped."
ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MARGUS TSAHKNA
"It is clear that NATO's deterrence and defence posture, especially air defence, must be strengthened."
SLOVAK PRIME MINISTER ROBERT FICO
"I express my full solidarity with the Romanian government, call for restraint in making inflammatory statements, and once again urge the immediate opening of dialogue between the European Union and the Russian Federation."
CZECH PRIME MINISTER ANDREJ BABIS
"The Czech Republic stands firmly with our alliance partners and equally condemns the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine."
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
"This is a very serious act, demonstrating how this war of aggression spares no one, continuing to brutally target innocent civilians, ignoring every limit, and endangering European security."
POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER RADOSLAW SIKORSKI
"Regardless of whether it was on purpose or the result of ineptitude, Russia is still dangerous and we must defend ourselves against it."
BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MAXIME PREVOT
"A weapon of war hitting an apartment building in an EU member state and NATO ally is a dangerous escalation that concerns us all."
HUNGARIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANITA ORBAN
"Yesterday's Russian drone attack once again underlines that Europe and NATO's unity, strength and deterrence are more important than ever."
(Reporting by Reuters bureaus;Editing by Helen Popper)
