As tensions rise between NATO and Russia in Eastern Europe, Romania’s ambassador to the United States discussed security and a missile defense system that Moscow has called “a direct threat” with the State Department’s top arms control official
Strategic partnership
Bonnie Jenkins and Ambassador Andrei Muraru on Friday talked about the strategic partnership between Washington and Bucharest which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
“Together we outlined the importance of the strategic common defense project the Aegis Ashore at Deveselu (a Romanian town). It is a significant contribution to collective allied defense, an integral part of the allies capabilities for anti-missile defense.”
The talks came amid the rising threat of a Russian military invasion of Ukraine which lies northeast of Romania. NATO forces in the region have begun mobilizing after Moscow demanded the alliance withdraw its troops from Romania and Bulgaria.
Met with @MAERomania Ambassador Andrei Muraru to discuss the importance of our Strategic Partnership 🇺🇸🇷🇴. Appreciate Romania being a stalwart @NATO Ally, standing with us on important issues such as defending NATO and Aegis Ashore. pic.twitter.com/wttKwPfxbp
— U/S of State for Arms Control & Int'l Security (@UnderSecT) January 21, 2022
Spain announced Thursday that two of its warships were en route to the Black Sea and it may send fighter jets to Bulgaria. The U.S. and France say they will send additional troops to Romania.
Kremlin
On Friday, the Kremlin demanded that NATO fighters leave both Romania and Bulgaria. NATO called the demands “unacceptable.”
The undersecretary of state for arms control and international security said the Biden administration “appreciates Romania being a stalwart NATO ally standing with us on important issues such as defending NATO and Aegis Ashore.”
Aegis Ashore is the NATO missile defense system in the southern town of Deveselu. Russia has said it is a “direct threat.’
Missiles
The site is designed to intercept medium and intermediate-range missiles from the Middle East.
Ambassador Muraru said the talks with the undersecretary were “excellent.”
”We talked about the strategic partnership…. Which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and about bilateral cooperation in security and defense, including in NATO,” he said on his Facebook page.
NATO rejects Russia demands to withdraw its forces from Romania, Bulgaria