Romania Wants NATO Redeployment Over Ukraine Crisis

A U.S. F-16 takes off during the Romanian-American exercise "Dacian Viper 2014" which began on April 10 in northwestern Romania

Romania is urging NATO to redeploy its forces in Eastern Europe and take a firm position to prevent a contagion of the Ukraine crisis.

Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean said on April 10 that Bucharest "has concrete expectations of a redeployment and an eastward repositioning of NATO's naval, air and ground forces."

Corlatean said Romania was "on the frontline," adding, "The Black Sea region must be a top priority for NATO and the EU."

Romania, a member of both the European Union and NATO, has a common border with Ukraine.

The US chargé d'affaire in Romania, Duane Butcher, told Romanian media that Washington is currently considering "a wide range of measures" to consolidate trust among its allies.

"We will defend Romania", Butcher said.

Meanwhile, some 450 U.S. and Romanian troops and began joint military exercises in northwestern Romania on April 10, flying U.S. F-16 fighter jets alongside Romanian ones.
Based on reporting by AFP, AP