R48440 — Romania: Background and U.S. Relations

Romania is a country in southeastern Europe with a population of nearly 20 million. After the end of communist rule in Romania in 1989, the United States and Romania developed close bilateral relations, including a strategic partnership launched in 1997. The United States supported Romania’s economic and democratic transition, as well as its accession to NATO in 2004 and the European Union (EU) in 2007. U.S. officials under successive presidential Administrations have described Romania as a steadfast ally and a strong proponent of transatlantic cooperation. For years, Romania has sought to elevate Black Sea security as a strategic priority within NATO and the EU. The country’s Euro-Atlantic orientation and Black Sea location have made it an important partner in addressing U.S. foreign and security policy concerns in Europe and other regions. Romania’s role in deterrence and defense along NATO’s eastern flank increased following Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and full-scale invasion in 2022. Within NATO and the EU, Romania has the longest border with Ukraine. For decades, the U.S.-Romania relationship has generally had broad support within Congress. Deteriorating security in the Black Sea region, particularly since 2022, has driven increased congressional interest in Romania and the broader region. Some Members have engaged through delegations visiting Romania and through participation in the House Romania Caucus and interparliamentary platforms. In the 117th and 118th Congress, some Members introduced legislation concerning the U.S.-Romania strategic partnership (e.g., H.Res. 1222 in the 117th); Romania’s entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (e.g., S. 814 in the 118th); and U.S. policy toward the Black Sea region (e.g., H.R. 6367/S. 3407 in the 117th; H.R. 1680/S. 804 in the 118th). Congress enacted provisions relating to Black Sea policy in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2024 (P.L. 118-31) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328 and accompanying explanatory statement). The 119th Congress may weigh whether and how to shape U.S.-Romania bilateral relations using its oversight and legislative prerogatives. Topics that may be of interest to the 119th Congress include the following: Security. U.S.-Romania security cooperation encompasses joint trainings and exercises; U.S. access to military facilities in Romania; rotational deployments of U.S. troops to Romania under Operation Atlantic Resolve; Romania’s hosting on its territory of a U.S. Aegis Ashore missile defense system; Romania’s cooperation with the Alabama National Guard under the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program; and defense consultations. Congress has authorized and appropriated assistance used to support Romania’s military modernization, infrastructure, and interoperability with NATO forces. Over the past decade, Romania has invested in U.S. weapons and equipment as part of its defense modernization and in Romanian military facilities used by U.S. and NATO forces. Energy. U.S. engagement with Romania on energy has grown in recent years, and civil nuclear energy was an area of close cooperation under the first Trump Administration and the Biden Administration. Since 2022, Romania’s natural gas and electricity infrastructure and supplies have helped support the energy security of neighboring Moldova and Ukraine. Political Situation. In November 2024, Romania’s political scene grew contentious following the unexpected victory of a far-right, populist candidate in the first round of the presidential election. Romania’s Constitutional Court subsequently annulled the presidential election amid allegations it had been compromised by social media manipulation (primarily on TikTok) and electoral law violations, as well as concerns about possible Russian interference. A new election is scheduled for May 2025.

Curated by CRS — every bill listed in this report's relatedMaterials. Edge type cited_in_report, gold confidence.

• HR 1680 — Black Sea Security Act of 2023 · 118th Cong
• S 814 — Romania Visa Waiver Act of 2023 · 118th Cong
• S 804 — Black Sea Security Act of 2023 · 118th Cong