Romania Offers to Pay for US Troops Amid Black Sea Security Concerns

Romanian President Nicușor Dan has proposed that Romania contribute financially to the maintenance of US troops stationed on its territory. He presented a cost-sharing formula to US Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby during Colby's official visit to Poland and Romania. The proposal follows a similar offer previously made by Poland.

Dan discussed the initiative in an interview with the Financial Times, stating that Romania wants more American troops and more lethal military capabilities. He also addressed the threat posed by Russia, Black Sea security, and the evolution of relations with the Trump administration.

“We want more American troops and more lethal military capabilities.”

According to the Presidential Administration, there are currently 1,172 American military personnel deployed in Romania, down from a previous contingent of 1,700 soldiers. The administration suggested Romania is considering a financial contribution similar to the one proposed by Poland.

Poland proposed in September to pay Washington $15,000 per year for each American soldier stationed at a planned military base named Fort Trump. The United States currently has approximately 10,000 troops in Poland distributed across about 12 bases and installations. Warsaw insists on building a permanent military base named after Donald Trump and has offered to finance its construction as well as pay $15,000 annually for each soldier stationed there.

Elbridge Colby has previously advocated for a more limited and better concentrated American military presence in Europe. The Department of Defense, led by Pete Hegseth, has repeatedly threatened to significantly reduce American military forces on the continent.

The statements come just days after Dan presented his proposal to Colby. Poland and Romania are the two most populous states on NATO's eastern flank, and the visit aimed to evaluate regional security challenges.