Ministrul interimar al Apărării susține că “nu există indicii” că militarii SUA ar urma să plece din România

**Romanian Acting Defense Minister Says No Signs of U.S. Troop Withdrawal**

*Bucharest, 30 August 2024* – Acting Defense Minister Radu Miruță told Digi24 on Saturday evening that the Romanian Ministry of Defense has received no indication that United States forces stationed in the country are slated to be withdrawn. He added that, contrary to any speculation of a pull‑back, roughly 500 additional U.S. military personnel have been deployed to Romania in recent months.

“At this moment, there is no indication at the Ministry of Defense that American troops are going to leave Romania,” Miruță said. “On the contrary, in the past few months, up to 400–500 U.S. soldiers have arrived.”

Miruță explained that the increase in U.S. personnel is linked to a decision by the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) to approve the deployment of American equipment on Romanian territory, including tanks and passive communication devices. “Following the CSAT decision to accept those tanks and communication assets, the associated U.S. military units have been sent here,” he said.

He acknowledged that any future departure of U.S. forces would diminish Romania’s deterrence capability. “Every American soldier who leaves Romania reduces our ability to deter potential threats,” Miruță warned.

The minister also stressed the importance of Romania’s own defense contributions within NATO. “We must demonstrate that we are doing everything possible, alongside every NATO member, before seeking additional assistance,” he said, citing recent investments in defense spending and domestic production capacity.

Regarding broader discussions about a possible reshaping of the U.S. military footprint in Europe, Miruță cautioned against assuming that a review automatically implies a reduction. “A review can mean an increase as well as a decrease,” he noted.

The statements come amid heightened debate in Washington and among NATO allies about a potential downsizing of the roughly 80,000 U.S. troops currently deployed across Europe. According to reports, the Pentagon plans to present at least four options for future U.S. force posture to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by 6 November, with a final decision expected by December. Some European officials have expressed concern that the review could lead to substantial cuts, especially in the context of past statements from the Trump administration indicating a desire to reduce U.S. military resources in Europe.

In early August, Tudor Curtifan, editor‑in‑chief of *Defense Romania*, assessed the possible impact of a U.S. drawdown on Romania. Curtifan said he does not foresee a risk of losing the American contingent, emphasizing the strategic importance of Romania’s location on the Black Sea and its role in regional security and future reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

No official U.S. or Romanian government documents have confirmed any plan to withdraw American forces from Romania at this time.

Article and image source: dcnews.ro