This archive report was first published on 20 October 2021.
On October 20, 2021, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Bucharest, Romania, for talks with Romanian Defence Minister Nicolae Ciuca. The visit marked the third stop of Austin's tour of the region, aimed at building confidence among allies and promoting greater military cooperation.
Austin's visit comes as Russia continues to militarize the Black Sea region, sparking concerns among NATO allies. The US Defence Secretary emphasized the importance of the Black Sea to European and Euro-Atlantic security, stating that it will remain a crucial strategic center of gravity.
During his talks with Ciuca, Austin urged the need for action by littoral states of the Black Sea to counter Russia's growing influence. He pointed to ongoing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and the occupation of parts of Georgia as evidence of the region's vulnerability.
Austin's comments were echoed by Ciuca, who stated that developing closer coordination with US and NATO forces in Romania, and deepening his own forces' capabilities, represents the solution for countering Russia's assertiveness.
However, US officials rejected speculation that the Pentagon would expand its troop presence in Romania or establish a permanent base in the country. A senior US defence official stated that there are no plans for permanent basing in Romania at this time.
