Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the Romanian Minister of Defense Angel Tîlvăr at the Pentagon today to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.
The three leaders were unified in their condemnation of Russia's brutal war of choice against Ukraine and pledged unwavering support to the Ukrainian people. Secretary Austin thanked Romania for continuing to host over 3,000 U.S. and Allied forces to strengthen deterrence and defense along NATO's Eastern Flank.
Secretary Austin, Prime Minister Ciolacu, and Minister Tîlvăr shared their views on the security concerns in the Black Sea. Romania's strong leadership in the Black Sea Region has been vital to combatting increased Russian aggression. Secretary Austin praised Romania's continued commitment to spending over 2 percent of its Gross Domestic Product on defense, and their investments in procuring modern, NATO interoperable military equipment.