Ex-President Băsescu Slams Defense Minister Over Drone Incident Handling

Former Romanian President Traian Băsescu has sharply criticized interim Defense Minister Radu Miruță, advising him to refrain from making statements on matters outside his expertise, particularly concerning defense and Black Sea security.

“

The first thing is, the Minister of Defense should not get involved in things he doesn't know. Defense is a complicated, complex matter that involves a great deal of diplomacy.

"The first thing is, the Minister of Defense should not get involved in things he doesn't know. Defense is a complicated, complex matter that involves a great deal of diplomacy," Băsescu stated, suggesting Miruță's attempts to project complete knowledge were misguided. He specifically called out Miruță for trying to appear knowledgeable while understanding little about the situation.

Băsescu stressed that Romania must enhance its capability to protect its interests within its exclusive economic zone, including energy infrastructure. He pointed out that NATO's Article 5 does not automatically apply in these areas, as the exclusive economic zone is not sovereign territory. Romania, he argued, needs to calibrate its military resources to safeguard strategic objectives.

“

Miruță, who doesn't understand much, but wants to seem like it, to give us the impression that he knows everything.

Furthermore, Băsescu contested the official narrative surrounding a sea drone detected near the Neptun Deep platform. He claimed the drone was not carrying explosives, was not sunk by F-16 fighter jets, but rather by divers. According to Băsescu, the drone was drifting and not heading towards the platform when a commercial vessel alerted Romanian authorities. He described the official communication as a "masterful fumbling," indicating Romania's lack of preparedness for such incidents.

“

The exclusive economic zone is not sovereign territory.

Băsescu also suggested that Miruță's initial, allegedly false, statements complicated communication with allies. He noted that Italy would have issued a more balanced statement and informed allies correctly if Miruță had not rushed to release inaccurate information. Băsescu clarified NATO's role, stating the alliance cannot intervene directly in the exclusive economic zone but can provide logistics, intelligence, and coordination support.

“

The drone with explosives was not with explosives, it was not sunk by F-16 planes, but by some divers.