On Wednesday, in Cotroceni, President Nicusor Dan received Elbridge Colby, Undersecretary for Defense Policy of the United States of America. The head of state told the American official that Romania faces hybrid threats, while the Black Sea is “one of the most dangerous and unstable maritime regions” and specified that “a stronger American economic and military presence in Romania is of strategic importance.” Sources from Cotroceni told Digi24 that, during the discussions, the Romanian side would have conveyed to the American side that our country is willing to bear part of the expenses necessary for the stationing of US troops in Romania, in order for the United States to maintain a significant presence here.
Romania, willing to pay for US troops
UPDATE 18:26 Sources from Cotroceni stated for Digi24 that, during the discussions, which lasted about 40 minutes, the Romanian side would have conveyed to the American side that our country is willing to bear part of the expenses necessary for the stationing of US troops in Romania, so that the United States can maintain a significant presence here.
Among the expenses that our country could take over are the basic costs for the American troops, as well as the fuel costs for the US planes stationed with us, the quoted sources said, without disclosing the required amount.
N. Dan: A stronger American military presence in Romania is of strategic importance
UPDATE 17:47 President Nicusor Dan conveyed on Wednesday, after the discussions at the Cotroceni Palace with the US Undersecretary for Defense Policy, Elbridge Colby, that our country remains fully engaged in the Strategic Partnership with the US, as an indispensable and reliable Ally.
Nicușor Dan said that “the Black Sea is one of the most dangerous and unstable maritime regions from a strategic point of view” and that, for Romania, “a stronger American economic and military presence is of strategic importance.”
“I had the pleasure of receiving today, at the Cotroceni Palace, the Undersecretary for Defense Policy of the United States of America, Elbridge Colby.
We discussed security in the Black Sea region, Romania’s efforts to promote stability in this vulnerable region, as well as the need for joint transatlantic action to deal with the complex threats we face.
I thanked Elbridge Colby and the entire US Administration for the important contribution to Romania’s security and reaffirmed the fact that our country remains fully committed to the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America, as an indispensable and reliable Ally, contributing to regional deterrence and projecting US power in the Black Sea region and beyond.
Romania faces the entire spectrum of hybrid threats, from cyber attacks and acts of sabotage, to air and sea drone incursions, provocations and intense disinformation campaigns.
Currently, the Black Sea is one of the most dangerous and strategically unstable maritime regions, facing a serious escalation of tensions and significant exposure to the spillover effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
I emphasized that Romania is making considerable efforts and allocating significant resources to manage the major risks and consequences of this increasingly deteriorating security environment, particularly the impact on freedom of navigation and critical energy infrastructure.
At the same time, we count on the continued commitment of the United States and our allies. A stronger American economic and military presence in Romania is of strategic importance and will contribute to strengthening the transatlantic link”, Nicușor Dan wrote in a message on Facebook.
The original news
According to the Presidential Administration, President Nicusor Dan will receive, on Wednesday, at 15:00, at the Cotroceni Palace, Elbridge Colby, Undersecretary for Defense Policy of the United States of America.
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On October 31, Presidential Defense Advisor Marius Lazurca wrote on Platform X that he had a productive week in Washington and mentioned meetings with Elbridge Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy, Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Thomas DiNanno, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, and Dan Holler, Advisor to the Secretary of State, as well as meetings with members of Congress, think tanks and mass media.
“Romania is an indispensable ally of the US in the Black Sea region, on the front line and fulfilling its role. We are ready to do more, while also understanding that long-term deterrence requires US solidarity and a stronger military and economic presence in Romania,” said Lazurcă in the message.
According to reports in the foreign press, Elbridge Colby, in charge of policies at the Pentagon, is among the American officials who have asked several NATO member countries to moderate their speech regarding the threat represented by Russia, claiming that certain statements by European leaders and officials have affected the security of the continent, four people close to the file told Reuters.
Reuters could not determine which other officials were involved.
None of these sources, which include three European officials and one US official, suggested that the recommendation was made in a conflicting way.
Among the countries that received messages asking them to show restraint in their public statements are Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. It is not known whether these messages, transmitted during bilateral meetings, were also communicated to other European governments.
The number two in the Pentagon, US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, is considered the architect of the NATO 3.0 concept, which also means the redeployment of US forces from Europe to other missions in the world.
