BUCHAREST, Romania

Romania's President-elect Nicusor Dan pledged continued support for Ukraine on Thursday, emphasizing Bucharest's commitment to Western alliances.

Dan, who won Romania's presidential election on Sunday with 53.6% of the vote, confirmed Thursday at the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum 2025 in Bucharest that Romania will continue to assist Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

"Aid to Ukraine will continue, of course, we all want to reach peace, or at least an armistice, as quickly as possible," Dan said.

He emphasized that European nations, including Romania, must provide Ukraine with sufficient support to achieve peace.

Dan expressed Romania's willingness to participate in Ukraine's post-conflict reconstruction efforts once peace is achieved.

NATO, EU relations

Addressing Romania's role in Western institutions, Dan reaffirmed the country's pro-West orientation while acknowledging areas for improvement.

He criticized Romania's previous levels of engagement. "In my opinion, it has not been active enough in any of these structures," he said.

He intends to be more actively engaged with the EU, NATO, and the US, he added.

Dan also emphasized supporting Moldova's EU integration timeline until 2030, citing Romania's pre-accession experience.

US strategic partnership

Dan expressed optimism about expanding US-Romania relations. "We have a strategic partnership that we want to continue and expand. I think it is also the desire of the American side," he said.

"I have seen an opening on the American side, and I am absolutely convinced that the partnership will continue and improve," he added.

Regarding potential US military reductions in Eastern Europe, Dan acknowledged broader geopolitical shifts.

"It is not just a Romanian issue; it is a matter of American policy, which, over time, will become more concerned with Asia than with Europe," he said.

US media reported in April that the Pentagon was considering withdrawing up to 10,000 troops from Romania, Poland, and other Eastern European countries as part of strategic rebalancing efforts.