Number 2 at the Pentagon visits Cotroceni Palace: Nicușor Dan receives Elbridge Colby for talks about Romania’s security and the threat posed by Russia

President Nicusor Dan will receive Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, at Cotroceni Palace on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. The meeting comes amid concerns over security in the Black Sea and the strategic relationship between Romania and the United States.

The U.S. official’s visit follows a recent meeting with presidential adviser Marius Lazurca, who was in Washington. He said that Romania is an indispensable U.S. ally in the Black Sea region and is prepared to strengthen its contribution, while also highlighting the importance of a stronger American military and economic presence in the country.

Elbridge Colby is one of the U.S. officials whom Reuters says asked some NATO states to moderate their public rhetoric regarding the threat posed by Russia. According to European and American sources cited by the agency, such messages were delivered during bilateral meetings with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Reuters sources said the recommendation was not made in a confrontational tone, and it is unclear whether the message also reached other European governments. The meeting at Cotroceni Palace is the first publicly announced discussion between Romania’s president and the U.S. undersecretary of defense.