Vice Chairman Spokesperson Major Joshua Pena provided the following readout:
PENTAGON — Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Christopher J. Mahoney met with the Vice Chief of Defence of the Romanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Dragos Iacob, at the Pentagon on 11 December 2025.
During their engagement, the leaders discussed regional security challenges in the Black Sea region, including Romania's ongoing defense modernization efforts to bolster the Alliance’s collective defense along NATO’s southwestern flank. They also emphasized the importance of increasing interoperability and preparedness to participate in international missions aligned with U.S., NATO, and EU security goals.
General Mahoney reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to its Strategic Partnership with Romania, a strong and growing NATO Ally, and recognized Romania's leadership within the Alliance. This close military cooperation enhances deterrence, counters malign influence in the Black Sea region, and addresses hybrid threats. The Joint Force remains committed to deepening cooperation with the Romanian Armed Forces in support of shared security and strategic objectives.