On February 1, 2024, Romanian Army Chief General Gheorghe Vlad warned that Romania must urgently adopt a legal framework allowing civilian volunteers to pursue military training to better prepare in case Russia's war against Ukraine spreads. He stated that Russia will not stop in Ukraine and suspects Moldova and the Western Balkans could be next targets. NATO has increased its presence in Romania with multinational battle groups, and the Pentagon extended deployment of 4,000 U.S. troops for at least nine more months. Romania's key geopolitical position on NATO's southeastern flank with an 650-kilometer border with Ukraine was emphasized, but Romania's current professional military force of 80,000 is insufficient and should be increased by 50%. A draft law for fixed-term voluntary military service targeting 18-35-year-olds regardless of sex, nationality, or religion is under parliamentary review. General Vlad advocates for a professional Romanian Army size of around 120,000 personnel.

On February 1, 2024, Romanian Army Chief General Gheorghe Vlad warned that Romania must urgently adopt a legal framework allowing civilian volunteers to pursue military training to better prepare in case Russia's war against Ukraine spreads. He stated that Russia will not stop in Ukraine and suspects Moldova and the Western Balkans could be next targets. NATO has increased its presence in Romania with multinational battle groups, and the Pentagon extended deployment of 4,000 U.S. troops for at least nine more months. Romania's key geopolitical position on NATO's southeastern flank with an 650-kilometer border with Ukraine was emphasized, but Romania's current professional military force of 80,000 is insufficient and should be increased by 50%. A draft law for fixed-term voluntary military service targeting 18-35-year-olds regardless of sex, nationality, or religion is under parliamentary review. General Vlad advocates for a professional Romanian Army size of around 120,000 personnel.