U.S. troop withdrawal from Romania not communicated to Defense Ministry, according to statement
The Defense Ministry Disputes Reported U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Romania
Here's the lowdown on the situation: The Defense Ministry has swiftly dismissed media reports suggesting a potential troop withdrawal from Romania. With no official communication received yet, they're left in the dark, unable to respond accurately.
This announcement follows unconfirmed reports about the possible withdrawal of around 10,000 American soldiers from both Romania and Poland.
The Romanian Defense Ministry seems confident, though, about the robust partnership with the United States, vouching for its mutual trust, common values, and collaboration that's been going strong for over two decades. According to them, existing bilateral agreements, including those concerning US military presence in Romania, continue to hold weight.
American troops, strategically positioned at locations like the 57th Air Base in Mihail Kogălniceanu and the Aegis Ashore missile defense system at the 99th Base in Deveselu, serve as indisputable evidence of the joint Romanian-American commitment to collective security.
The Defense Ministry's official statement also underscores the massive EUR 2.5 billion investment made by the Romanian government to modernize and expand the infrastructure at the 57th Air Base at Mihail Kogălniceanu. In addition, the country consistently prioritizes defense, with scheduled military exercises this year involving US troops.
As of now, approximately 1,700 American soldiers are based in Romania, with the bulk of them stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu military base.
Interim President Ilie Bolojan echoed the ministry's sentiments during a press conference on the same day. He clarified that there's been no discussion or official confirmation about the withdrawal of American troops from Romania. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he added, had reiterated the US commitment during a recent meeting with European foreign ministers, offering no indications of a withdrawal decision.
Bolojan also points out that, although the Trump administration might be considering budget cuts, it doesn't necessarily imply that aspects related to NATO's eastern front—currently the most significant NATO front in Europe—will be compromised.
(Credit: CateyePerspective, Dreamstime.com)
- Despite the speculations of a potential troop withdrawal from Romania, the Defense Ministry's reaffirmed that existing bilateral agreements with the United States, including those concerning US military presence in Romania, continue to hold weight.
- The strategic bases, such as the 57th Air Base in Mihail Kogălniceanu and the Aegis Ashore missile defense system at the 99th Base in Deveselu, serve as evidence of the joint Romanian-American commitment to collective security.
- General-news reports about the possible disengagement of around 10,000 American soldiers from Romania and Poland are disputed by the Defense Ministry, and Interim President Ilie Bolojan echoed their sentiments, stating there's been no official confirmation about the withdrawal of American troops from Romania.
