Romania will not deploy troops to Ukraine under any circumstances, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has said, reiterating Bucharest’s commitment to non-involvement in the ongoing conflict.
However, the country will continue to bolster its military spending to meet NATO requirements and align with broader EU defence initiatives.
Speaking during a live interview with a local broadcaster on Thursday, Bolojan addressed growing speculation and misinformation suggesting Romania might become militarily involved in the war.
He firmly dismissed the notion, stating: “We are not sending our young people or children to war. Romania, under no circumstances, is considering participating in the war – not before, not now.”
Bolojan’s comments come amid discussions among several European NATO members regarding the formation of a potential multinational force for deployment to Ukraine, potentially in a post-conflict peacekeeping role.
Moscow has warned that it would consider any foreign troops fighting alongside Ukrainian forces as legitimate targets, cautioning that such moves could further escalate the war.
Despite ruling out direct military involvement, Bolojan maintained that Romania, as a NATO member on the alliance’s eastern flank, must “gradually increase defence spending” and not prioritise domestic investments in infrastructure, healthcare or education over military needs.
“We can’t afford to rely on the idea that others – including the US – will ensure our protection without us contributing,” he said.
At a NATO summit in The Hague earlier this month, alliance members pledged to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
The move was presented as a response to what NATO leaders describe as the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security. Moscow has repeatedly rejected this characterisation, accusing the alliance of provoking tensions through expansion and militarization.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has approved the potential use of up to €335 billion in pandemic recovery funds for defence-related projects. In May, it proposed a €150 billion debt facility to support military initiatives across the bloc.
The Kremlin has condemned these steps, portraying them as evidence of the EU’s deepening hostility and continued support for what it describes as NATO’s proxy war in Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied Western claims of Russian aggression, calling them “nonsense.” He has accused NATO of inflaming the crisis in Ukraine and using fear to justify spiralling military budgets across Europe.
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