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Oana Lungescu

@oanalungescu.bsky.social

1.6K followers 580 following 310 posts

Longest-serving & 1st woman #NATO Spokesperson (2010-2023), Distinguished Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, ex #BBC correspondent

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jun 23

At NATO’s high-stakes summit in The Hague, allies will set a new target to invest 5% of GDP in defense, hoping it will buy time to fill big capability gaps, please Trump & deter Putin. My commentary for @rusi.bsky.social

www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

NATO’s High-Stakes Summit: Buying Time to Fill the Gaps

NATO’s summit in the Hague will set an historic target of 5% of GDP on defence. Allies hope this can buy enough time to fill current capability gaps, deter an aggressive Russia, and keep Donald Trump ...

www.rusi.org

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · 10d

Russia paid for Orthodox priests from #Moldova to make pilgrimages to Moscow. In exchange, they had to set up social media accounts warning about the dangers of closer European integration. @reuters.com investigation about how Kremlin is trying to influence Sunday’s key #election in Moldova 🇲🇩

Holy war: How Russia recruited Orthodox priests to sway Moldova's voters

Russia paid for Moldovan Orthodox priests to make Moscow pilgrimages and gave them debit cards loaded with hundreds of dollars on their return home. In exchange, priests created Telegram channels to influence Moldova's elections, promoting traditional values over ‘gay Europe.’

www.reuters.com

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · 13d

NATO has responded to Russia’s incursion in Estonia’s airspace. But as Moscow’s recklessness grows, NATO must deploy more air defense & give SACEUR Gen Grynkewich maximum flexibility. My take for @Carnegieeurope along with some great colleagues. Thanks @rmomtaz.bsky.social for the timely question!

Carnegie Europe @carnegieeurope.bsky.social · 13d

❔| #TTP: Should NATO Have Shot Down Russian Planes Violating Estonian Airspace?

Russia has tested NATO by sending drones and fighter jets into the alliance's territory. So far, the response has been restrained, but should NATO have done more to deter Moscow? ⤵️
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...

Taking the Pulse: Should NATO Have Shot Down Russian Planes Violating Estonian Airspace?

In recent weeks, Russia has tested NATO by sending drones and fighter jets into the alliance’s territory. NATO has opted so far for a restrained response, but should it have done more to deter Moscow?

carnegieendowment.org

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · 14d

How is NATO balancing deterrence and defense in responding to Russia’s repeated airspace violations? Read this @politico.eu article by @laukaya.bsky.social with my take ✈️

@rusi.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/nato...

Finger on the trigger: How NATO is responding to Russia’s airspace violations

NATO is a defensive alliance, which makes it very cautious about responding with force to Russia’s provocations.

www.politico.eu

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Sep 8

Russia is conducting an intense disinformation campaign to sway Moldova’s parliamentary elections on Sept. 28, flooding social media with fake posts, videos & websites & using increasingly effective AI tools, in a template for future interference.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/b...

Russia Steps Up Disinformation Efforts as Trump Abandons Resistance

www.nytimes.com

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Sep 3

“The Chinese nation is a great nation that does not fear violence,” warns Xi Jinping at massive military parade, standing with the Russian & North Korean dictators. A clear signal of how China aims to shape the world order & why US attempts to prise Putin away from Xi are naive.

on.ft.com/3HT68cs

Xi Jinping hails ‘unstoppable’ China at landmark military parade

Beijing sends ‘peace or war’ warning while Trump accuses leaders of ‘conspiring’ against US

on.ft.com

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Sep 2

The ban on @rusi.bsky.social operating in Russia is a backward step not meant to silence RUSI but domestic debate about the Russian government, as Director General Ellehuus says.Proud to be associated with the world’s oldest defence think-tank & its work, including on Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · Sep 2

In response to news that Russian authorities have banned RUSI from operating in Russia, RUSI's Director-General, Rachel Ellehuus, has released a statement, which is available in full on our website.

RUSI Statement: Russia Declares RUSI to be 'Undesirable'

On 2 September 2025, the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia announced a prohibition on RUSI undertaking any activities inside Russia.

www.rusi.org

Reposted by Oana Lungescu

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Aug 27

The leaders of France, Germany and Poland are converging today on tiny Moldova to urge voters to keep turning away from Russia and support their country’s pro-EU government.

European heavyweights come out in force to urge Moldovans to snub Putin

Merz, Macron and Tusk are visiting the country in support of Maia Sandu’s pro-EU camp ahead of a pivotal election.

ow.ly

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Reposted by Oana Lungescu

Henry Foy @henryjfoy.ft.com · Aug 26

💥 US offers to provide European-led Ukraine peace force with intelligence & surveillance capacities, command & control assets & air defence components in major shift for Trump & big win for Nato, officials briefed on negotiations with Washington tell me & @christopherjm.ft.com

on.ft.com/4mKuhko

US offers air and intelligence support to postwar force in Ukraine

[FREE TO READ] Washington prepared to contribute surveillance, command and control and air defence assets, say European officials

on.ft.com

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Reposted by Oana Lungescu

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Aug 11

🚨 BREAKING: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is convening an emergency virtual summit on Wednesday with European leaders, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

🔗 ow.ly/66SM50WCOGG

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Reposted by Oana Lungescu

Tom Nuttall @tomnuttall.bsky.social · Aug 11

Merz has managed to convene a virtual summit with Trump, Zelensky and others on Wednesday - a small victory for German diplomacy after Merz & Trump spoke last night, but let's see what emerges.

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Aug 10

The statement was also signed by Chancellor Merz 🇩🇪 & PM Tusk 🇵🇱

Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Aug 10

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine 🇺🇦

Read the statement by President Macron 🇫🇷 PM Meloni 🇮🇹 PM Starmer 🇬🇧 European Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu 🇪🇺
President @alexstubb.bsky.social 🇫🇮 ahead of President Trump’s planned meeting with Putin in Alaska.

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Reposted by Oana Lungescu

Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · Jul 14

Keith Kellogg, United States Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, arrived in Kyiv this morning.

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jul 13

Also in Washington on Monday is German defense minister Boris Pistorius. He told @financialtimes.com he intends to discuss with US Secretary of Defense Hegseth a proposal to let Germany buy 2 Patriots for Ukraine + a roadmap for US security support to Europe

on.ft.com/4lte0Qs

German defence minister calls on arms makers to deliver

‘There is no reason to complain any more,’ says Boris Pistorius in FT interview ahead of trip to Washington

on.ft.com

Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jul 13

Rutte specifically referred to air defense & ammunition, as Ukraine continues to face horrific attacks from Russia. It’s very unusual for a Secretary General to visit Washington just weeks after a NATO summit, so this isn’t just a courtesy call.

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jul 13

Significant visit to Washington by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of President Trump’s expected announcement of a major plan facilitating weapon sales to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraine. After speaking to Trump last week Rutte said he’s working with allies to get 🇺🇦 the help they need

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jul 8

“You are our dagger in Europe and we will be sharpening you carefully.” The chilling message of a Russian handler to a British drug dealer behind sabotage attacks in the U.K., exposing how Moscow uses criminal gangs to destabilise Europe & its support for Ukraine.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/w...

The Wild Russian Plot to Burn a London Restaurant and Kidnap Its Owner

www.nytimes.com

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jul 8

Welcome news that the US Department of Defense is sending “additional defensive weapons” to Ukraine. Putin’s continued unjustified attacks show he has zero interest in peace. The only way to ensure peace is to support Ukraine.

Reposted by Oana Lungescu

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Jul 4

The UK will host a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing, a loose partnership of Western countries pledging support for Ukraine, on the sidelines of a French-British summit on Thursday.

UK to host Ukraine ‘coalition of the willing’ meeting next week

The push has been driven by France and the U.K. to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.

ow.ly

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jul 1

We shouldn’t be afraid, we should be prepared - the recurring theme of this great visual story of how NATO countries from Finland 🇫🇮 to Poland 🇵🇱 are strengthening their defences to deter any Russian attack. @richardmilne.ft.com @financialtimes.com

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · Jul 1

For countries on Europe’s easternmost flank, Russia is a present and looming threat – and they are preparing in case Moscow once again decides to test Nato’s defensive resolve https://on.ft.com/3ZZlJNs

Image of a soldier superimposed on a partial map view of Europe

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jun 26

Read the full range of expert views on the links above, including @susmonika.bsky.social @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social @tobiasbunde.bsky.social @annwieanna.bsky.social @sophiabesch.bsky.social @rachelrizzo.bsky.social @jteurope.bsky.social @erikbrattberg.bsky.social

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jun 26

Does meeting NATO’s new target of 5% of GDP on defense enable Europe to confront the Russian threat? My take for @carnegieendowment.org Strategic Europe, skilfully edited by @rmomtaz.bsky.social.

carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jun 25

NATO’s Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions. Read @reuters.com analysis of how the summit in the The Hague went smoothly - and what may come next, including my take.

@liliebayer.bsky.social @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

NATO's Trump flattery buys time but dodges tough questions

Lavishing praise, playing the royal card and copying his slogans – NATO pulled out all the stops to keep Donald Trump happy and hold the alliance together at a summit in The Hague.

www.reuters.com

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jun 25

BREAKING The Hague summit declaration of NATO leaders: recommitment to Article 5, new commitment to investing 5% of GDP on defense, continued support to Ukraine, Russia described as a “long-term threat.”

www.nato.int/cps/en/natoh...

The Hague Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government (2025)

www.nato.int

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Oana Lungescu @oanalungescu.bsky.social · Jun 23

The next battle will be over how many US troops & capabilities remain in Europe in the months & years to come, as 🇺🇸 looks to the Indo-Pacific but also to the Middle East, after it’s joined Israel in its war against Iran.