Pentagon's Elbridge Colby to meet Nicușor Dan in Bucharest on 4 November

Visit and agenda

Elbridge Colby, the US under secretary of defense for policy and ranked second at the Pentagon, is due in Bucharest on 4 November. The Presidential Administration says President Nicușor Dan will receive him at the Cotroceni Palace at 15:00. Romanian ambassador to Washington Andrei Muraru says the visit is meant to discuss the American military presence in Romania directly, and Poland is also on the itinerary. Colby had already met presidential adviser Marius Lazurca in Washington, and Lazurca described the week as productive in a post on X.

“We are ready to do more, understanding that long-term deterrence requires US solidarity and a stronger US military and economic presence in Romania.”

Romania's pitch on troops and arms

Bucharest wants Colby to recommend that Washington keep as many American troops and as much military equipment in Romania as possible. Muraru says the Romanian offer is strong in strategic and positioning terms, not only financial ones, and that the country has backing among both Republicans and Democrats. He argues the partnership would hold whatever the result of the US elections. Colby is expected to hear from the Romanian army leadership about cooperation with American troops and to review defence-industry projects, including a likely arms-production project with SIG Sauer financed through the SAFE programme. Muraru also wants assurances from political leaders that Romania's investments and strategic decisions have government, executive and parliamentary support regardless of shifts in the political configuration.

“I hope this visit brings more clarity on the issues that require an answer from the Romanian side.”

Russia rhetoric at the centre of the trip

Reuters, citing four people familiar with the discussions, reports that Pentagon officials asked several NATO members to adopt a more moderate tone on Russia. The argument was that some statements by European leaders and officials had undermined continental security. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are reportedly among the countries that received such messages in bilateral meetings, and it is unclear whether other European governments were approached. Colby is listed among the officials who reportedly made the requests. Prime Minister Luca Niculescu, speaking to TVR 1, said he would meet Colby, who has a longer visit in Romania and will see several Romanian officials. Niculescu added that several rounds of talks with the under secretary would follow.

Wider review and next steps

Muraru says the Department of War will announce its reassessment of US military posture in Europe in early December, and that expectations and concerns surround the decision. He says lawmakers in both parties insist that European allies take on heavier defence spending, with the target of 5% of GDP by 2035 not disputed in either chamber of Congress. Politico reports, citing a person familiar with the Trump administration, that Colby drove the June 2025 decision to halt deliveries of some air defence missiles to Ukraine, a move that caught the White House off guard. The timeline below lists the dates currently known in the review.

Prime minister on the partnership

Niculescu noted that 2027 marks 30 years since the strategic partnership with the United States was signed. He recalled following the signing as a young journalist at University Square, when Bill Clinton and Emil Constantinescu appeared shortly after the agreement was signed.

“The strategic partnership with the United States is essential for the country's security.”

Niculescu also said the presence of American troops and capabilities in Romania is very important.