The United States remains committed to Romania – as a reliable ally of NATO, a vital strategic partner and engine of security in Europe, the US ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker said Wednesday after the US War Department confirmed it was reducing its presence in Europe.
“For over 20 years, Romania, as a NATO ally, has been constantly collaborating with the United States to meet common defense objectives. This partnership is stronger than ever. The United States remains committed to Romania – as a reliable ally of NATO, a vital strategic partner and engine of security in Europe,” the ambassador said.
He reaffirmed that a strong American presence and enduring commitment to Europe remain unwavering, including support for NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission, a defense alliance along its eastern flank to protect countries from potential Russian attacks and drone violations.
Romania and its NATO Allies have been informed of the decision of the United States on the downsizing of American troops in Europe, Romania’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday, after the Kyiv Post reported on the reduction of military personnel in Romania, citing American and European sources.
The defense ministry said the decision concerns hundreds of troops stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu. About 1,000 American soldiers will remain deployed in Romania.
The U.S. War Department later confirmed the reduction in its presence in Europe, but said it was not a U.S. withdrawal from Europe or a sign of a diminished commitment to NATO and Article 5.
In a post on X, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said the U.S. “remains committed to Romania.”
“Our strong presence in and enduring commitment to Europe remains steadfast, including support for Eastern Sentry,” a NATO operation along the eastern flank, he wrote. He did not mention the troop drawdown.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, NATO beefed up its military presence on Europe’s eastern flank by sending additional multinational battle groups to Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
“This is not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5,” U.S. Army Europe and Africa said, in a reference to the collective security guarantee in the organization’s treaty that an attack on one ally should be considered an attack on all 32.
“Rather this is a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility. Our NATO allies are meeting President Trump’s call to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe,” it said.
It insisted that the move “will not change the security environment in Europe.”
