Mark Rutte about NATO measures to protect Romania against Russian drones: “We are making rapid progress”

  NATO is “making rapid progress” about measures meant to protect the eastern flank, Romania included, through the “Eastern Sentry” program, said Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary Generalin Brussels on Tuesday, at a press conference held before the meeting of foreign ministers of member countries, according to the video recording posted on the NATO website.   Rutte said that the Eastern sentinel includes everything done by NATO about the Eastern flank, from the Black Sea to the far North. That is making quick progress, involving all Alliance military elements, Rutte added when he answered a question of the TVR correspondent about the recently launched “Eastern Sentinel” operation. He pointed out that he had had a successful meeting in Bucharest, Romania, three-four weeks before, and the problem was seriously dealt with.   Rutte showed that a part of the Eastern Sentinel was to make sure that progress would be made to become better in approaching the drone threat , both by manufacturing drones or by making sure the latest technology would be available next to the anti-drone technology. The head of NATO said that rapid progress was being made, offering as example Ukraine's aid, through the joint JATEC center in Poland, where all lessons learned about drones were shared and also about the terrible aggressive war started by the Russians.   The “Eastern Sentinel” is an ample military NATO project launched in September 2025, meant to rapidly and flexibly strengthen defence on the eastern flank, as an answer to the recent infringement of the air space and in order to discourage hostile actions against the Allies, the NATO website shows.   According to DPA, the Wednesday meeting of foreign ministers from member states, held at at NATO headquarters will focus on the support granted to Ukraine and the continnous efforts to consolidate NATO discouragement and defense capacities. NATO secretary general Mark Rutte made his first visit to Bucharest in November. He participated in the NATO Industry Forum, an event meant for a strategic dialogue with defence industries from allied states.   On that occasion, Mark Rutte reassured the Romanian party that collective defence according to article 5 of NATO Treaty, next to the presence of allied troops and initiatives to strengthen the eastern flank contribue protecting Romania. Increased attention paid by NATO to the Black Sea area is added.