Vladimir Putin has called on Romanian authorities and their European allies to present evidence that a drone which crashed into a residential building in Romania originated from Russia.
The Russian leader made the remarks while speaking to journalists during the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, amid growing diplomatic tensions surrounding the incident.
Putin Questions Early Blame on RussiaPutin argued that conclusions about the drone’s origin should not be made before a thorough investigation is completed.
According to him, previous incidents involving unidentified drones in European countries initially triggered accusations against Russia but later produced different findings.
He maintained that determining the source of the aircraft requires detailed technical examination rather than political assumptions.
Russian Leader Calls for Independent Investigation
The Kremlin leader said Moscow is prepared to review any evidence presented regarding the incident.
Putin urged Romanian authorities to share materials and findings linked to the investigation, stressing that Russia would conduct its own assessment before drawing conclusions.
He also referenced previous cases where Russia requested evidence relating to security incidents involving its territory and officials.
Romania Says Drone Entered Its Airspace
Romanian authorities have maintained that the drone was detected within the country’s airspace before crashing into a residential building in the city of Galati.
Officials reported that two people were injured during the incident.
The Romanian government said the drone was linked to an overnight attack targeting Ukraine, a claim that has heightened concerns among European allies.
Diplomatic Tensions Continue to Rise
Following the incident, Romania summoned Russia’s ambassador for discussions.
Meanwhile, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu indicated that the matter would be formally raised with both the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The development adds another layer of tension to the already strained relationship between Russia and several European nations amid the ongoing regional conflict.
