VIDEO | Romania is ready to host more NATO troops, president says

Sursa: Presidency.ro

Romania is in talks with the U.S. and France over ways to increase the number of troops in the country and is ready to host more NATO troops, President Klaus Iohannis said Wednesday.

“I have been constantly saying we are ready to host an increased allied presence on our territory,” the president said.

The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday said it put about 8,500 American troops on alert, for possible deployment to NATO’s eastern flank in the case of a Russian invasion of  Ukraine. France has also offered to send more troops to Romania if needed.

Romanian officials are “in contact with the two allies to establish concrete ways to have their military presence,” Mr. Iohannis said.

He spoke after a meeting of the country’s top defense body, the Supreme Defense Council to address security concerns after Russia massed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine’s border.

He said diplomatic talks were key to deescalate tensions with Ukraine. Romania shares a 615-kilometer maritime and land border with the former Soviet republic.

The council assessed the potential impact of a conflict on businesses and the energy and banking sectors.

NATO has a multinational land force of up to 4,000 troops in Romania, which joined the alliance in 2004.

The United States also has soldiers stationed at separate bases in Romania and in Bulgaria.

„The current crisis proves once more that … consolidating allied presence on the eastern flank including in our country is very important,” he said.

US places up to 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe amid Russia tensions

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