Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, announced on Tuesday his intention to compete for the position of the next leader of the NATO military alliance, underscoring the significance of his country’s proximity to Ukraine and the persistent threat posed by Russia.
Iohannis aims to succeed Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who has held the top civilian post at NATO since 2014 and has indicated his intention to step down.
As a NATO member since 2004, Romania shares a border with Ukraine and has emerged as a key player within the alliance amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Notably, Romania hosted a NATO meeting of foreign ministers in November 2022, demonstrating its increasing involvement. Last year, the country inaugurated an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied nations and partners, including Ukraine.
“Russia is proving to be a serious and long-term threat to our continent, to our Euro-Atlantic security,” stated President Iohannis, emphasizing the significance of NATO’s borders and the need to bolster the alliance’s eastern flank. He stressed that confronting Russian aggression remains a top priority.
Iohannis advocated for a “renewal of perspectives” within NATO, suggesting that the historical challenges faced by Eastern Europe could offer valuable insights in addressing Russian aggression. Several NATO member states in Eastern Europe have expressed concerns about Russia’s efforts to assert influence in the region, with memories of Soviet dominance still vivid for many.
