President Dan: US presence returns to pre-war levels; Eastern Flank security will not be diminished

President Nicusor Dan said on Wednesday that the realignment of US rotational forces in Romania effectively returns their presence to pre-Ukraine war levels.On X platform, the President wrote that deterrence on NATO's Eastern Flank is being offset by a substantial increase in military equipment and a greater presence of European forces, in full coordination with the United States.'The security of Romania and the Eastern Flank will not be diminished in any way. The strategic partnership between Romania and the US remains unchanged. The strategic infrastructure developed jointly at Deveselu, Campia Turzii and Kogalniceanu will continue to be fully operational, US troops will remain stationed at these bases, and the transfer of military equipment will continue,' Dan added. The Ministry of National Defence (MApN) announced on Wednesday that it had been informed about the downsizing of part of the US troops deployed on NATO's Eastern Flank, as part of the process of reassessing the global posture of US military forces.According to a ministry press release, among the brigade elements set to end their rotations in Europe are forces stationed in Romania, at the Mihail Kogalniceanu base."The decision was expected, as Romania has been in constant contact with its strategic partner, the United States. The resizing of US forces reflects the new priorities of the presidential administration, announced as early as February. The decision also took into account the fact that NATO has strengthened its presence and activity on the Eastern Flank, allowing the United States to adjust its military posture in the region. The US decision concerns the discontinuation of the European rotation of a brigade with elements deployed in several NATO member states," the ministry stated.It added that around one thousand US troops will remain stationed in Romania, "contributing to deterring any potential threats and continuing to represent a guarantee of the US commitment to regional security."Approximately 1,000 US military personnel will remain deployed in Romania, 'contributing to the deterrence of any threats and continuing to guarantee the US commitment to regional security,' the ministry said.