adevarul.ro/securitate-si-aparare/de-ce-vorbesc-fi

Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Finland and Norway maintain diplomatic communication with Russia, while Romania refrains from such interactions. Analyst Ștefan Popescu warns that Romania risks exclusion from future negotiations due to its cautious diplomatic stance. He emphasizes that diplomacy should be employed even with adversaries to manage relations effectively. Recent discussions between Finnish and Norwegian leaders and Putin highlight the importance of direct dialogue for regional security. In contrast, Romania's avoidance of official talks may hinder its influence in addressing critical issues in the Black Sea region, where it faces significant strategic costs. Popescu advocates for Romania to engage diplomatically to address various pressing topics, including cybersecurity and energy infrastructure, which are crucial given its geographical proximity to the conflict.