France announced it would deploy additional forces to strengthen NATO's "defence posture" in Eastern Europe
In the coming weeks, France will deploy further troops and equipment to Romania to bolster NATO's eastern flank, in the context of Russia's massive strikes recently on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, the French defence minister, Sébastien Lecornu told a Senate panel.
According to Radio Romania's correspondent in Paris, he spoke about deploying a company, usually comprising 100 to 250 troops, to Romania. France leads the NATO battle group in Romania, which currently includes 350 French troops, in addition to Belgian and Dutch ones.
The decision to increase these forces was made by the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, at the suggestion of the chief of staff of the French Army. In fact, Macron had emphasised his country's support for strengthening NATO's eastern flank as far back as in June, during an official visit to Bucharest, when he also pledged additional assistance to Romania. "You have our support should your country come under threat," Emmanuel Macron said at the time.
Sébastian Lecornu explained now what this support would actually consist of:
Sébastian Lecornu: "The president of the Republic decided to raise our defensive posture on the eastern flank of Europe, by deploying a reinforced company of armoured infantry fighting vehicles and a squadron of Leclerc tanks to Romania. So as part of our defence, deterrence and protection mission on the eastern flank, we continue to support those countries to which we owe solidarity, and particularly Romania, a friendly nation. We have also continued to boost our presence in Lithuania, where Rafale aircraft will be deployed, and a light infantry company will also be deployed to Estonia."
The Romanian president Klaus Iohannis welcomed president Emmanuel Macron's decision to strengthen the French military presence in Romania. As Iohannis posted on a social network, this is "An important gesture for NATO's Eastern Flank, a sign of Allied solidarity."
In February, France and Belgium announced they would deploy military units to Romania to set up a tactical NATO group.The chief of staff of the French Armed Forces said at the time that as part of the rapid response force, France will send to Romania as many as 500 troops with armoured vehicles and combat equipment. And in March, president Klaus Iohannis said, "NATO has approved the battle group to be stationed in Romania."
Given Russia's recent threats and attacks, the NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg announced that the Allies would enhance security around key institutions and would take additional measures to increase resilience and protect critical infrastructure. "A deliberate attack against allies' critical infrastructure will be met with a united and determined response," the NATO chief has warned. (A.M.P.)
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