Romanian foreign minister backs expanded US troop presence and permanent base in Romania
Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said Romania supports keeping U.S. forces on its territory and is weighing a shift to a permanent deployment.
During an interview, Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu reaffirmed Romania’s support for the existing U.S. military rotation and said the country is considering converting it into a permanent station. She cited heightened threats from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Romania’s position as the EU’s longest NATO border with Ukraine as drivers for increased security spending and infrastructure upgrades, including rail links, highways and border crossings, as well as deeper connectivity with the Balkans.
The minister highlighted the strategic role of the Danube corridor and the Port of Constanța in facilitating grain exports and stabilising global food prices. She also referenced joint NATO de-mining operations in the Black Sea with partners such as Bulgaria, Canada and the United Kingdom, and mentioned the Neptun Deep gas project that could raise Romania’s gas supply by 80 %. Finally, she stressed ongoing diplomatic dialogue with Kyiv, Washington and European allies on funding, sanctions and peace negotiations.
Why it matters
A permanent U.S. base in Romania would alter NATO’s eastern defence posture and regional security dynamics.
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