Nicusor Dan proposes financing US troops in Romania amid Russian threats and uncertainty over the US presence in Europe

President Nicusor Dan has proposed that Romania contribute financially to maintaining and strengthening US troops stationed on its territory, amid intensifying security threats in the Black Sea region and the Trump administration’s assessments regarding a reduction in the US military presence in Europe.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the head of state said he had presented Washington with “certain figures” concerning troop levels and the division of costs. Romania aims to attract more US troops and more advanced military capabilities, following the model of the proposal made by Poland.

Currently, approximately 1,172 US service members are stationed in Romania, compared with 1,700 previously. Bucharest is considering a financial contribution similar to the one proposed by Warsaw, which has offered to pay $15,000 annually for each US service member stationed at the future Fort Trump base.

Nicusor Dan’s proposal was presented after US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby’s visit to Poland and Romania. The US official supports a more limited US military presence, but one concentrated at strategic points.

The president cited incursions by Russian drones and attacks near the Romanian coast as arguments for strengthening defense. The bases at Mihail Kogalniceanu and Deveselu, as well as the port of Constanta, are of major strategic importance to the United States. Romania is increasing its defense budget, but the budget deficit is limiting the pace at which spending can grow.