The presence of US troops in Romania, through a change in the size of the rotational forces operating in the country, is effectively returning to the level before the war in Ukraine, Romanian President Nikos Dan said today, quoted by Agerpres, BTA reported.
His comment comes after a statement by the Ministry of National Defense, according to which Romania and NATO allies have been informed of the US intention to reduce the number of US troops deployed on NATO's Eastern Flank in Europe, including at the Romanian air base “Mihail Kogalniceanu“.
The head of state wrote on the Ex platform that the capabilities to deter threats on NATO's Eastern Flank are offset by the substantial addition of military equipment and the increase of European forces in full agreement with the American partners.
"The security of Romania and the Eastern Flank will not decrease in any way. The strategic partnership between Romania and the United States remains within the same parameters. The strategic infrastructure developed jointly in “Devesului“, “Câmpia Turzii“ and “Cogalnicanu“ will continue to be fully operational, American military personnel will continue to be stationed at these bases, and the transfer of military equipment will continue,“ the president added.
Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Moșteanu specified earlier today that around a thousand American servicemen will remain at the “Devesului“, “Câmpia Turzii“ and “Mihail Cogalnicanu“ bases, and their strategic capabilities will not change. He added that the missile defense system at the Deveselu base will remain fully operational, while the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base continues to be developed.
According to the latest available statistics, 1,700 US military personnel are currently stationed in Romania, AFP notes.