I’m becoming increasingly alarmed by the moralists and self-styled ideologues who are undermining the only protective shield Romania has against Russia, the country’s primary aggressor over the past 150 years, since the battles of Grivița and Plevna in 1877.
Russia fears only one thing: the projection of American power. Thus, if Romania desires to be free, secure, and prosperous, its paramount national interest is to maintain a significant American military presence on its soil for the upcoming decades. This can only be achieved by strengthening the strategic partnership with the United States, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Many local moralists, dressed in ideological colors, suddenly embracing Europe while disregarding the U.S. because of Donald Trump’s leadership, are not merely unwitting pawns of Moscow. Blinded by their own political passions, they inflict considerable harm on this country, severely weakening it in the face of Russian threats.
Europe will likely be incapable of projecting true military power for another 5 to 10 years. This raises an important question: what will these pro-European moralists do if, for instance, four years from now, elections in Germany are won by the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party likely to cozy up to Russia? Or if a candidate aligned with Marine Le Pen wins in France? Would they throw their European ideals away like yesterday’s trash? Furthermore, what if a prominent American figure expressed support for a Romanian politician they typically endorse—how would they reconcile their moral compass with such a shift?
While I can tolerate temporary confusions and acknowledge that nuance exists, I find it incomprehensible that otherwise serious intellectuals and analysts struggle to transcend their personal biases to see a straightforward reality: the only moral stance for Romania at this moment, given its geographical position, is to prioritize its pragmatic interest in remaining free and secure—values that fundamentally underpin both prosperity and dignity.
Ironically, a vast majority of Romanians appear wiser than many so-called experts. About 75% of the populace believes that maintaining a close relationship with the current U.S. administration under Trump is crucial for Romania.
Trump won the U.S. elections with a comfortable majority. His supporters in Congress achieved victories at both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If the majority of American taxpayers, funding the soldiers stationed in Romania to protect its freedoms, believe Trump is beneficial, why should we judge their choices?
Our national interest, which remains deeply pro-European, hinges on ensuring national security. This not only benefits Romania but also Europe, considering we are a frontline state in the European Union. Romania’s security can only be guaranteed with a long-term American military presence, serving as a deterrent against Russian aggression. If this requires us to engage in supplemental dealings with the Americans or pose a positive response to their requests, we must do so. America provides us with the soldiers and equipment we need to counter Russian threats.
If we act intelligently, as we seem to be doing recently—especially in the diplomatic arena—we should leverage all our assets, including those of Romanians living abroad. We must be astute in using every opportunity, every tool at our disposal, and every visit from an associate of Trump’s administration in the coming years to articulate and project Romania’s pragmatic interests. This should occur without being hindered by temporary electoral passions or personal biases that threaten to undermine our freedom, security, and well-being.
Above all, I genuinely believe in the wisdom of the Romanian people, which is reflected in their steadfast support for maintaining a strong U.S. partnership.
