On Monday (25 August 2025), NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska addressed the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy remotely from NATO Headquarters. In the plenary session titled "Our region in a new strategic reality," she highlighted Romania's contributions to collective security, including in deterrence and defence, Black Sea security, and support for Ukraine.
Noting the growing challenges facing the Alliance, the Deputy Secretary General outlined the key decisions made by leaders at the NATO Summit in The Hague: to raise defence investment to 5% of GDP, boost defence industrial production, and continue their strong support for Ukraine. This will "significantly increase NATO's strength and war-fighting capabilities. So that we can implement our defence plans in full and continue to protect all NATO territory," said Ms Shekerinska.
On support for Ukraine, the Deputy Secretary General highlighted how Allies are now contributing billions of dollars through NATO's new initiative: the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Through PURL, European Allies and Canada are funding essential equipment and munitions for Ukraine sourced from the United States. Ms Shekerinska underlined that this "will strengthen Ukraine's hand as it pursues peace." Concluding that Ukraine's security has an impact on our own, the Deputy Secretary General said it is important that 'together, with all Allies, we will continue to safeguard the peace and security of our nations."
