NATO Deputy Secretary General: We anticipate a more robust permanent NATO presence with pre-positioned military equipment and missile and air defence elements on the eastern flank of the alliance / We are already thinking about the reconstruction of Ukraine

Mircea Geoană, NATO Deputy Secretary-General, told Antena 3 on Monday evening that at the extraordinary NATO summit on Thursday, 24 March, the leaders of the member states will create the conditions so that at the summit scheduled to take place in Madrid in June, decisions will be taken for a more consistent permanent military presence of the alliance in the Eastern states, including Romania.

„NATO leaders will create the platform for the Madrid Summit (29-30 June 2022) to take decisions on a profound change in NATO’s presence on the Eastern flank, including in Romania. Strategically, NATO cannot fail to make a massive change in the way we defend our Eastern flank. We anticipate a more robust permanent presence, with pre-positioned military equipment and elements of missile and air defence. These will be bold long-term decisions,” Geoană said.

He also spoke about the future post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, showing that Romania is in a privileged position.

„We are already thinking about the reconstruction of Ukraine. This strategic development should also bring significant economic benefits. Perhaps it would mean, especially for eastern Romania – Moldova, Constanta, the Danube area – a chance to have connections. And from the safest and most advanced fortress of the West, we could also be a bridge for businesses and investments”, Geoană told Antena 3.

„From our estimates, we will act to support Ukraine. And it is not a form of escalating the war, it is a right enshrined in the UN charter. The right to self-defense, and we are helping them to defend their country. We don’t go into conflict with Russia, despite the calls to do so. We have a responsibility for the Ukrainians, but we also have a responsibility for the millions of people living in NATO countries”, said Mircea Geoană.

Translated from Romanian.