Klaus Johannis and Jens Stoltenberg
(Photo: Andreea Alexandru / AP)
The decision to strengthen NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe through the deployment of a contingent in Romania is linked to the US commitment to European security. About it declared Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
Stoltenberg added that NATO will continue to strengthen its eastern flank, but only for defensive purposes. According to him, the alliance will explore the possibility of maintaining a presence in South-Eastern Europe for several months due to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. The final decision on this matter will be made in the spring, the Secretary General added.
Stoltenberg announced the possible dispatch of NATO combat groups to the Black Sea
At the end of January, NATO countries announced the expansion of their military presence in Eastern Europe, in particular, in Lithuania, Bulgaria and Romania. Stoltenberg specified that the military contingent of the alliance is also in Poland. NATO deployed several F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, warships and several ground units to the region. The United States also announced the possibility of deploying troops to the region.
On the eve of February 10, Stoltenberg announced that NATO was considering sending combat groups to the Black Sea region and Romania. According to him, the alliance “must be prepared for the worst”, although it considers itself a threat to Russia. “Russian aggression will lead to more, not less, NATO presence,” the Secretary General added.