US Troops in Romania: Bucharest Offers to Pay Washington to Maintain Military Presence
Thursday 12/November/2026 - 02:50 PM
Ahmed Seif El-din
Romania has offered to help finance US troops stationed on its territory as President Nicușor Dan seeks a stronger American military presence amid growing Russian security threats and uncertainty over Washington's commitments to Europe.
The proposal comes as the Trump administration considers reducing its military footprint across Europe, while NATO allies along the alliance's eastern flank seek additional protection against threats linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Romania Offers Financial Support to Keep American Forces
President Nicușor Dan told the Financial Times that Bucharest had presented Washington with proposals covering troop numbers and cost-sharing arrangements.
"We want to have more American troops and more lethal capabilities," Dan said.
According to the Romanian presidency, the number of US troops in Romania has fallen from approximately 1,700 to 1,172.
Romania's offer resembles a proposal from Poland, which suggested paying Washington $15,000 annually for each American soldier stationed at a proposed permanent military installation known as Fort Trump.
Although Bucharest has not publicly confirmed an exact financial commitment, Dan's office indicated that Romania was considering a comparable arrangement.
Trump Administration Reviews US Military Presence in Europe
Romania's proposal follows a visit by US Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby to Romania and Poland, NATO's two most populous eastern-flank members.
Colby has previously supported a more limited and strategically focused American military presence in Europe.
Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon has repeatedly raised the possibility of reducing US deployments across the continent.
These discussions have heightened concerns among European allies that rely on American forces for deterrence and regional security.
Poland currently hosts approximately 10,000 American troops across about a dozen military installations.
Warsaw is seeking a permanent US base and has offered financial support for its construction and operation.
Following discussions with Hegseth, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested that Washington was responding positively to the proposal.
However, the Pentagon has not publicly confirmed approval for the project.
Russian Drone Incursions Increase Romania's Security Concerns
Romania's push to retain US troops in Romania reflects increasing security concerns along the Black Sea and its border with Ukraine.
Russian drones have repeatedly crashed on Romanian territory, while commercial vessels have been struck in waters near the country's coastline.
Dan warned that Moscow was attempting to weaken European support for Ukraine by creating insecurity among neighboring countries.
The Romanian president said international assistance had improved the country's protection against aerial threats.
Bucharest now intends to strengthen its maritime defenses, expand military equipment and improve preparedness in the Black Sea.
Dan emphasized that these measures were intended to reinforce security without escalating tensions with Russia.
Strategic Importance of Romania's American Military Bases
Romania hosts important American military infrastructure, including Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base near the Black Sea coast and the Deveselu missile defense facility in southern Romania.
Dan highlighted the strategic significance of Mihail Kogălniceanu and the nearby port of Constanța for American military operations.
He also noted that Romania permitted US forces to use the air base during Washington's military campaign against Iran earlier this year, while several other European Union countries declined similar requests.
The Deveselu installation hosts American personnel and ballistic missile defense systems, making it an important component of NATO's regional defense architecture.
However, military analyst and former Romanian naval commander Sandu-Valentin Mateiu cautioned that existing American personnel are primarily responsible for maintaining the functionality of US installations.
Whether Washington would deploy additional combat units remains uncertain.
Romania Faces Defense Spending Constraints
Although Romania plans to increase military expenditure, its substantial public deficit limits how quickly it can expand defense spending.
Dan acknowledged that Bucharest cannot currently match Poland's military budget, which is approaching 5% of gross domestic product.
That level corresponds to a defense spending target promoted by President Donald Trump and accepted by NATO allies for achievement by 2035.
Romania must therefore balance military modernization, fiscal pressures and its efforts to maintain a credible American security commitment.
The proposal to help finance US troops in Romania represents one approach to strengthening bilateral defense cooperation without immediately undertaking a major expansion of the country's armed forces.
Romania Seeks Stronger Relations With the Trump Administration
Dan also addressed earlier tensions between Bucharest and Washington following Romania's disputed 2024 presidential election.
The election was annulled amid allegations of Russian interference, prompting criticism from US Vice President JD Vance.
In 2025, Vance questioned the evidence supporting the allegations and cited Romania as an example of what he characterized as European restrictions on right-wing political movements.
Dan, who won the subsequent presidential election rerun, played down those disagreements.
He suggested that the incoming Trump administration initially lacked a complete understanding of the two countries' security cooperation but later developed a clearer appreciation of their relationship.
The Romanian president said bilateral ties had since improved.
What Romania's Proposal Means for NATO Security
Romania's willingness to contribute financially to the American military presence underscores a broader shift in European defense policy.
As Washington reassesses its overseas commitments, countries bordering the Black Sea and Russia's sphere of military activity are seeking ways to preserve US engagement.
For Bucharest, maintaining US troops in Romania is not only a matter of military capability but also a strategic signal of American commitment to NATO's eastern flank.
The proposal could strengthen Romania's position in future defense negotiations, although Washington has not publicly committed to increasing troop numbers or accepting the proposed cost-sharing arrangement.
The outcome will depend on Pentagon deployment priorities, Romania's financial capacity and the evolving security situation surrounding Ukraine and the Black Sea.
