Zelensky Might Try To Financially Profit From The Romanian Drone Incident

Andrew Korybko 

Recalling that Trump once famously described Zelensky as “the greatest salesman on Earth”, it therefore wouldn’t be surprising if he tries pitching a “solution” to NATO whereby the bloc funds the dispatch of Ukrainian troops to Romania for putting their drone defense experience to use there

Two people were injured after a done hit an apartment building in Romania on the tri-border with Moldova and Ukraine on Friday in an incident that Bucharest blamed on Russia but without alleging that it was done deliberately. Putin called for an investigation when he was asked about it during a press conference, the Russian Ambassador to Romania denied that the drone came from his country, while Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that the media hullaballoo is a diversion.

In her words, “It’s obvious why this story is being blown out of proportion. The West needs to make sure that nobody pays attention to Zelensky’s crime – the bloody, horrific terrorist attack (in Starobelsk).” She also described as “Russophobic” Romania’s closing of the Russian Consulate in Constanta and the declaration of its consul general persona non grata, promising that Russia’s response “will not be long in coming.” It’ll likely be tit-for-tit and involve the Romanian Consulate in St. Petersburg.

Looking beyond the media and political dynamics of this incident, there’s always the chance that it could be exploited by hawkish elements in NATO for finally implementing a no-fly zone over parts of Ukraine such as the southernmost one near the Danube River through which Ukraine receives some of its arms. Russia repeatedly warned in the past that such a development would constitute direct NATO intervention in the conflict and be met with a harsh response, however, which has deterred it till now.

Even if the decision was still made despite the high risk of a potentially uncontrollable escalation in NATO-Russian tensions, the bloc would still struggle to intercept Russian drones. Writing for the partially government-funded German Marshall Fund, Program Officer Bogdan Cozma reminded readers that “Romania has Patriot batteries built to defend against missiles and jets, but no operational weapon to deal with small, cheap, low-flying drones.”

He added that “The capability does exist, however. MEROPS, a low-cost interceptor proven in Ukraine, was entering into Romanian service as of November 2025, but was still in the testing phase at the time of the attack.” Unmentioned in his article but relevant to reference is that Zelensky clinched several drone defense deals with the Gulf Kingdoms during the Third Gulf War. Credible questions about the effectiveness of his forces aside, they’re still the world’s most experienced in this regard behind Russia’s.

Recalling that Trump once famously described Zelensky as “the greatest salesman on Earth”, it therefore wouldn’t be surprising if he tries pitching a “solution” to NATO whereby the bloc funds the dispatch of Ukrainian troops to Romania for putting their drone defense experience to use there. Zelensky is widely suspected to be corrupt, and many speculate that his former top aide Andrey Yermak’s corruption scandal will eventually implicate him, so it follows that his primary motive would be to financially profit.

He’s not once to miss such opportunities so it would be out of character if he doesn’t propose this even if NATO rebuffs him. Once again, Ukraine’s ultimate effectiveness in defending against drones or lack thereof is unimportant since hawkish elements might be receptive to the optics of Ukraine “defending NATO” for a relatively paltry sum “as thanks” for all that NATO has done for Ukraine over these nearly 4.5 years. It’s therefore entirely possible that this might be the next sale that Zelensky closes.

Andrew Korybko, Substack, May 30, 2026 

Anteriores:
A New Iron Curtain Is Inevitable 
The Starobelsk Dormitory Bombing Reflects Horribly On Ukraine & Its Western Patrons 
Germany’s Military Patronage Of Ukraine Is A Crucial Part Of Its Grand Strategy 
Trump's Neo-Reagan Doctrine Is Rolling Back Russian Influence Across The World 
The New Russian-Indian Military Logistics Pact Sends Five Messages To The World The US Demanded That The Europeans Accelerate Their Transition To “NATO 3.0”