According to a famous joke, NATO was created, a few years after the crushing of Nazism, to keep the Germans on their toes, the Soviets out of Europe and the Americans in. Three quarters of a century later, the joke has outlived its original context. Post-Soviet Russia has turned up the aggression again after regaining its murderous frenzy and appetite for new territories. Under the new Republican administration led by President Donald Trump, the United States seem less and less interested in guaranteeing the security of Europe, criticizing it for not investing enough in its own defense. These developments are creating anxiety especially on NATO’s Eastern Flank, in countries bordering either Russia or Ukraine invaded by Russian troops. This is also the case of Romania, which shares almost 650 kilometers of border with Ukraine.
In a message meant to reassure his fellow countrymen, the interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, said that NATO has prepared military scenarios for any security outcome that would affect member states, including those on the Eastern Flank. “There are, let’s say, strategic plans designed by NATO, including by the Romanian Army”, Ilie Bolojan said. The president recalled that France is designated as the framework nation for the defense of Romania and has troops on the ground. “The problem that arises is either an increase in the contribution of European countries in the current security context, which means that very little will change, or, in the second scenario, more responsibility from European countries, not just European Union members”, the interim president further noted. “In order to ensure its defense, Europe needs the United States of America”, Ilie Bolojan argued.
According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, citing NATO sources, the United States might withdraw part of its military deployed in Europe as early as this year. The move, the same sources add, would not aim to question the Alliance itself, but would be an incentive for Europeans to get involved more in deterrence and defense efforts. Washington currently has about 160,000 troops deployed outside the United States, and most of them, about 35,000, are stationed in Germany. According to local media, due to uncertainty generated by the Trump administration, the major groups in the European Parliament are preparing a document that will call on the EU to promote the creation of a so-called European pillar within NATO, which would act autonomously, whenever necessary. This group might also include Great Britain, Turkey, Norway and Iceland, states that are not currently in the European Union, but are otherwise members of NATO. (VP)
