SMARDAN, Romania (AP) — NATO members are currently engaged in their largest combat exercises of 2025, focusing on swiftly deploying large-scale forces along the alliance’s eastern border amid concerns regarding the United States’ stance. The drills in Romania, situated near Ukraine, coincide with uncertainties in Europe due to the new direction taken by President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emphasized the need for allies to increase military spending significantly, hinting at a shift in U.S. security priorities away from Europe and questioning Washington’s longstanding security commitments to the region.
As the world approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Steadfast Dart 2025 exercises involve approximately 10,000 military personnel from nine countries forming NATO’s new Allied Reaction Force. Spanning six weeks across Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, these drills signify a proactive approach to potential threats. While the Trump administration has not announced plans to withdraw U.S. forces from the area, Hegseth’s call for “European allies to take the lead” has prompted reflection among NATO partners on a potential redefined security landscape without the U.S. as the primary security provider.
Defense analyst Radu Tudor in Bucharest suggests that any reduction of U.S. military presence in Romania could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaving NATO’s eastern flank vulnerable to Russia’s aggression. Such a scenario may compel Romania to seek contributions from other NATO allies to fill the void left by the withdrawal of American troops.
Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, commander of the Allied Joint Force Command, highlights the evolving security challenges faced by NATO in recent years, emphasizing the organization’s adaptation to a complex and unpredictable threat environment. The ongoing combat exercises symbolize NATO’s commitment to defending its territory comprehensively in response to emerging threats.
In light of recent diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, concerns have been raised among European allies about potential exclusion from key negotiations. This has prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to convene discussions with select EU countries and the U.K. in Paris to address the evolving situation.
The combat exercises in Romania feature live-fire training and trench warfare simulations, building on similar drills conducted by Greek and Spanish forces in Greece. NATO’s new Allied Reaction Force, established in July, aims to deploy rapidly and effectively in crisis situations, blending traditional military capabilities with cyber and space technologies. Led by Britain with a significant military presence, the multinational exercises involve various NATO members and showcase the alliance’s commitment to enhancing its defensive capabilities in response to evolving threats.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO has reinforced its eastern flank by deploying additional multinational battlegroups to countries like Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. Romania, in particular, has emerged as a key player in strengthening the region’s defenses against potential aggressors.
The alliance had generously contributed a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and inaugurated an international training center for F-16 jet pilots hailing from allied nations, Ukraine included. McGrath provided this update from Sighisoara, Romania.
