What will the Belgian army do in Romania? “The generic mission is to reinforce NATO’s deterrent posture” explains the army chief. A system which was already permanent in the Baltic countries in Poland (thanks to the rotation of NATO armed forces), and which has been extended to countries further south, such as Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria or Romania . A contingent of Belgian soldiers who will therefore help Romania will leave in the next few days – the exact moment however not being specified for reasons of discretion. An important mission, according to Michel Hofman “It’s important for the credibility of Belgium, it’s important for the credibility of Defence. We are responding to this request from NATO in relation to this rapid reaction force. And here we are, 5 days from notice we are ready to go with an equipped, trained unit. With motivated personnel who are ready to go “.
And here we are, at 5 days notice we are ready to leave with an equipped, trained unit
As to whether Belgian soldiers might find themselves fighting on Ukrainian territory, “Never say never, but it is not at all in the mandate of these soldiers in the current conditions. What must be avoided is that NATO forces find themselves engaged in Ukraine once morest the Russians”. In the current mandate of NATO, it is therefore completely excluded that Belgians take part in combat.
