The offer

Romania has offered to pay part of the costs the United States incurs to keep troops on Romanian territory, Bloomberg reported on Friday, 16 October, citing informed sources. Bucharest hopes the offer will preserve the American military presence in the country. It follows similar proposals from Poland and the Baltic states, which had earlier offered financial incentives for US personnel. Separately, the Romanian government intends to invest about 4 billion euros by 2040 in the Mihail Kogălniceanu base on the Black Sea coast, so that it can host more American or allied troops and offer better conditions. The defence ministry had earlier estimated the base's modernisation at 2.5 billion euros, with room for up to 10,000 troops.

Troops and the Pentagon review

About 1,000 US service members are currently stationed in Romania, at the Mihail Kogălniceanu, Deveselu and Câmpia Turzii bases. Last year Romania became the first European country affected by US troop reductions ordered under the administration of Donald Trump, after Washington halted the rotation of one brigade through Kogălniceanu. The Pentagon is due to finish a review of the American military presence in Europe by the end of the year, and that review could lead to further withdrawals. Bucharest's offer comes against this backdrop of possible cuts.

Romania's troop offer and the Black Sea strikes, October 2026
  1. Drones strike the Wine Trader and Yara J near Sulina
  2. Bloomberg reports Romania's offer to share US troop costs
  3. Pentagon due to finish its review of US military presence in Europe

Defence spending and budget pressure

Romanian authorities want to raise defence spending from about 2.5% of GDP to 5%, in line with NATO targets. That plan comes even though the country has one of the largest budget deficits in the European Union, and the government is trying to reduce it. Romania is the second largest beneficiary, after Poland, of funds available through the EU's SAFE programme for joint defence investment and procurement.

Drone attacks on Black Sea shipping

On Thursday, 15 October, the commercial ships Wine Trader and Yara J were struck by drones near Sulina. Of the 12 sailors aboard the Wine Trader, five were rescued and taken to a hospital in Constanța, while seven remain missing. Romanian authorities are investigating the strikes, including whether the drones belonged to Russia. Asked about Russian involvement, President Nicușor Dan said it was still too early to technically prove that the attack was Russian.

Wine Trader crew status after the drone strike (people)
Rescued and taken to hospital in Constanța5Still missing7

France and the Black Sea response

On Friday, 16 October, Dan said France was the first ally to offer help against drones in the Black Sea. Speaking after the European Council in Brussels, he said Romania had asked for support until the equipment it ordered under SAFE arrives.

We asked for help until the equipment we ordered through SAFE arrives in Romania, and France has already offered to help us with the equipment we need.

— Nicușor Dan

Dan added that his colleagues had already held talks with the French technical team, which offered to help Romania with the equipment it needs in the Black Sea.