EU Funding Crisis: Romania risks losing at least €770 million from its Recovery and Resilience Plan after parties failed to agree on a public-sector pay law by Aug. 31, with the final cut to be decided when the Commission reviews the last payment request. Government Formation: PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu says the party is ready to form a government around itself, including a minority cabinet, but only if PSD is part of the deal—raising pressure on Romania’s still-stalled coalition talks. Diplomacy & Security: Romania’s interim foreign minister Oana Toiu framed the past year as “assertive” diplomacy amid Russian war-driven security pressure, while Romania also says it sees no indication of a Russian attack on NATO. Moldova Link: Romanian Language Day celebrations in Moldova (with Romania and Ukraine marking it together) came alongside renewed political messaging on energy connectivity and ending “energy blackmail” via Romania. Black Sea Stakes: Turkey floated a new plan to restore safe grain transport through the Black Sea, aiming for a mechanism like the 2022–23 grain corridor. EU Border Tension: Western Balkans truckers protested Schengen 90/180 limits and threatened border blockades if exemptions aren’t found. PNRR Health Push: EU-funded neurosurgery and cerebrovascular centers were inaugurated in Cluj and Târgu Mureș as the PNRR clock runs out.