VIDEO Trump: “I like the Romanians, I think they are a great people.” The head of the Pentagon assures that American troops will remain in Romania

Asked about the withdrawal of American soldiers from Romania, President Donald Trump said that the relationship with our country is “very good” and that “the Romanians are a great people.” For his part, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that American troops want Romanians stationed in Romania, but there will be changes in the way US soldiers are rotated.

“We are making some changes. It is the same total number of soldiers, but we rotate them. I like the Romanians, I think they are a great people,” said Donald Trump. “The relationship with Romania is very good,” the US president also said.

For his part, Pete Hegseth said that the decision regarding American troops was made by the Pentagon in coordination with the White House. “American troops will remain in Romania, but there will be changes in how they are rotated,” adding that NATO and allies had been notified in advance.

The statements of the two American officials were made during the discussions they had with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, on Friday at the White House.

MApN announced on October 29 that Romania and allied NATO countries were informed of the United States' decision regarding the “resizing” of American troops in Europe. According to MApN, “approximately one thousand American soldiers will remain deployed” in Romania.

The announcement came after the Ukrainian publication Kyiv Post wrote, citing American and European sources, that the Donald Trump Administration is about to withdraw “thousands of American soldiers” from Romania.

According to MApN, among the elements of the brigade that are to stop rotating in Europe, there are also forces destined for Romania, from the Mihail Kogălniceanu air base. Previously, HotNews.ro sources had said that, if there are reductions in American forces in Romania, these troops from Mihail Kogălniceanu will be targeted.

“We are not talking about a withdrawal of American forces, but about stopping the rotation of a brigade that had elements in several NATO states: Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania. Approximately 1,000 American soldiers will remain in Romania, contributing to the deterrence of any threats and representing a continuation of the US commitment to regional security. The strategic capabilities remain unchanged in Romania,” declared the Minister of Defense, Ionuț Moșteanu, in a press conference.

The heads of the defense committees in the US Senate, Roger Wicker, and in the House of Representatives, Mike Rogers, both Republicans, signed a joint statement on October 29, in which they express their concern over the Pentagon's announcement regarding the withdrawal of the rotational brigade from Romania, which they say is uncoordinated and in contradiction with President Trump's strategy.

“We strongly oppose the decision not to maintain the American rotational brigade in Romania and the force posture review process that could also lead to further withdrawals of American forces from Eastern Europe,” the two members of the US Congress claim.

At this moment, approximately 2,000 American soldiers are on mission in Romania. The largest detachment, of over 1,700 soldiers, is stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu military base.

At the military base in Deveselu, there are about 200 soldiers who operate the Aegis Ashore anti-missile shield, while at the air base in Câmpia Turzii there are more than 100 other soldiers.

News being updated.