Romania and NATO’s Eastern Flank

NATO is Romania’s main security guarantor, the country’s president, Ilie Bolojan, has reiterated

Ştefan Stoica, 04.03.2025, 14:00

Romania’s interim president, Ilie Bolojan, spoke by phone with NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, on Monday, when he said that the North Atlantic Alliance remains the main guarantor of Romania’s security. Article 5, which provides that an armed attack against one of the allies is considered an attack against all the members, is the one, which most effectively discourages threats and attacks against NATO members, president Bolojan explained.

The leader in Bucharest also insisted over the importance of the transatlantic relation and the US presence in Europe, which are crucial in his opinion for the security of the continent. Romania continues to contribute to the stability and security of NATO’s Eastern Flank together with its partners and is supporting the consolidation of security in the Black Sea region, Bolojan underlined.

The president explained that Bucharest, which is presently allotting 2.5% of its GDP for defence, is ready to further increase investment in this area.

Referring to the situation in Ukraine, President Bolojan highlighted the need for a fair and durable peace as well as the importance of carrying on support for this country. The NATO Secretary General thanked Romania for its contribution in the alliance, as well as for being a member which acts responsibly as a major factor of security and stability in the Black Sea area and the Eastern Flank. Mark Rutte said these efforts are all the more so relevant in the present security context and voiced NATO’s support for strengthening the allied presence in the region.

NATO Secretary General reiterated the commitment of NATO and the United States to collective defence and Article 5, underlining the United States’ efforts for a durable peace in Ukraine. Mark Rutte also hailed Romania’s decision to raise its defence budget and underlined the need for other European allies to have similar approaches.

The two leaders agreed to maintain a constant dialogue on these issues. The Romanian president and the NATO Secretary General had attended an informal meeting on European security in London on Sunday. The participants in the aforementioned meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, pledged to carry on financial and military support for Ukraine.

After the meeting, president Bolojan said the security guarantees to Ukraine would in fact be for the entire Eastern Flank, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. However, the Romanian official said these guarantees cannot be assured without support from the United States. The informal meeting in London was one of coordination in the run up to the European Council proceedings on March 6 and a meeting that is to bring together, on March 7, leaders of the non-EU countries who want an approach to settling the conflict in Ukraine that might lead to the implementation of sustainable peace in the region.

(bill)