With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the entire international policy of the USA has changed. America’s relationship with Europe has become distant, despite the efforts and compromises made by the leaders of France, Germany, and Great Britain.
There have been and still are strong diplomatic contacts, but Washington’s reaction, when not impulsive, tends to appease and favor Vladimir Putin in the military conflict provoked by Russia.
Last week, officials from the American administration hinted that starting next year, the USA will cut military funding programs for the armed forces in Eastern European countries, including Romania, as reported by The Washington Post, citing sources from the Pentagon.
The Trump administration's decision is the result of a policy of isolation and the transfer of European defense spending to the EU, further complicating the situation due to the war in Ukraine.
The announcement from Washington is an encouragement for Vladimir Putin to continue the attack on the neighboring country and not an action to deter the Kremlin.
Ionuț Moșteanu Contradicts Mark Rutte
In the complicated situation created by the new American policy towards Europe, the message conveyed by Ionuț Moșteanu, the Minister of Defense, that "there is no potential enemy to attack a NATO country," is surprising.
The official's statement made in an interview conducted by journalist Matei Udrea, for News.ro, is alarmingly similar to the reassuring messages repeated over the past years by Klaus Iohannis, Nicolae Ciucă, and Marcel Ciolacu, who stated that Romania is "a pillar of stability" in NATO and the EU, nothing can happen, yet within a year, the presidential elections were annulled due to Kremlin's interference in Romania's internal politics.
"Russia could be prepared to use military force against NATO within five years. Right now, we are all focused on the eastern flank," stated Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General, in June.
The announcement comes from the most authoritative voice of the alliance in defense matters and directly refers to the possibility of an attack on the eastern part of the continent, but there are military experts who suggest such an attack could happen much sooner.
An Illusory State of Comfort
"...if you're talking about Russia, look at how it's barely holding the front line with Ukraine, especially when all Western partners are helping the Ukrainians. And that's extraordinarily fair and good. We do that.
Russia neither has the capacity nor the courage to attack NATO! NATO is the largest military power, and all potential adversaries know that. We have this defense umbrella, we have Article 5... and this makes us sleep peacefully and do our job," stated Ionuț Moșteanu (USR), Minister of Defense.
The positions of Romanian officials not only contradict those of NATO leadership but also indicate that authorities in the country have not realized that our country is a victim of the war waged by Russia, even if it's a hybrid one.
Trying to protect the sentiments of individuals influenced by Kremlin's intense and unhindered propaganda in Romania, essential aspects are overlooked, such as the lack of a unified defense policy at the Romanian state level in the new context created by US decisions. There are no explanations, responsible parties, or reactions to Russia's aggression, which is evident in public opinion.
Nostalgia for the USA No Longer Serves Any Purpose
Signals from the government and the presidency indicate that our leaders are lagging behind in international developments, showing institutional hesitation installed after November 2024, which heralds new catastrophes and defeats.
Although the Minister of Defense still relies on the strategic partnership between the US and Romania, this partnership is not functional, practically suspended when JD Vance, the US Vice President, publicly criticized Romania, followed by the indefinite suspension of the Visa Waiver program for our citizens.
The more we hate the Russians, the more we fear them. A fatalism has been created that has paralyzed society. Instead of clearly communicating why Ukraine should be supported and what NATO's role is, the authorities have remained silent.
Teodor Baconschi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, interview with spotmedia.ro
The inertia at the political leadership level and the continuous failure to adapt to reality are detrimental to society, particularly in terms of planning and developing new diplomatic relationships and involvement in building a defense system adapted to the current situation.
Nostalgia for the privileged relationship with the USA no longer serves any purpose. We must do everything in our power to maintain this relationship but also face reality without longing for what was.
The statements of Minister of Defense Ionuț Moșteanu resemble those of Iohannis and Ciolacu too much to not cause real concern, at least for a part of the public opinion, and the feeling that no one has learned anything from the political mistakes of recent years that have weakened Romania rather than strengthened it.