Romania's defence ministry has stated that the US intends to decrease its troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank. The number of American soldiers in Romania will drop significantly from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000, a move expected amid the new priorities of the Trump administration regarding military commitments.
The Pentagon reassured that this decision does not reflect a withdrawal from Europe, nor a lesser commitment to NATO and its Article 5 obligations, which guarantee mutual defense in case of an attack on a member state.
Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu confirmed that a US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase would be rotating out without a replacement. Mosteanu relayed that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized to European allies the need for enhanced regional self-defense capabilities while acknowledging the US's pivot towards the Indo-Pacific region.
The adjustments come amidst rising tensions with Russia, especially following a recent incident involving Russian drones breaching Polish and Romanian airspace. Notably, NATO's presence at Romanian bases such as Deveselu and Campia Turzii will remain unchanged, sustaining a level of military vigilance in the region.
Despite concerns from Eastern European nations about security following the troop reduction, a NATO official noted that the US's commitment to the alliance remained strong and that the troop size in Europe is still considerably larger than it was prior to the escalation of tensions in 2022.
To further bolster regional defense, NATO recently initiated a new mission named Eastern Sentry aimed at enhancing surveillance and responsiveness along its eastern borders, an initiative driven by the persistent threat of Russian aggression.
