Romania’s acting president, Ilie Bolojan, affirmed on Friday that the current presence of NATO troops within the country is adequate for its security needs. His remarks addressed comments made by Polish President Andrzej Duda regarding the potential deployment of nuclear weapons on NATO’s eastern flank.
President Bolojan stated, “The presence of NATO’s support and the military bases of European and American allies in Romania provides significant protection and peace. While any measure that enhances NATO’s eastern flank is commendable, the existing military presence of our allies is sufficient at this time.”
This Bolojan’s reaction came after Polish Duda’s interview with the British Financial Times, wherein he urged the United States to consider the placement of nuclear weapons in Poland as a deterrent against possible aggression from Russia.
Duda told FT, “NATO’s borders shifted eastward in 1999, and it is evident that NATO’s infrastructure should also progress eastward. It would be safer if these weapons were already stationed here.”
US Vice President JD Vance expressed his surprise at the prospect of President Donald Trump endorsing the deployment of nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe. “Although I have not discussed this specific issue with the president, I would be astonished if he supported the further eastward spread of nuclear capabilities in Europe,” he noted.
Romania’s defence relies on an armed force of approximately 75,000 personnel, making it the second-largest military on NATO’s eastern flank, following Poland. Furthermore, over 5,000 foreign military personnel from allied nations are stationed in Romania, including approximately 3,000 from the United States.
In addition, Romanian authorities are expanding the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base near Constanta, on the Black Sea, planning to make it a central hub for NATO and the most significant military base for the Alliance in Europe.
