adevarul.ro/securitate-si-aparare/scenariul-negru-

General Virgil Bălăceanu analyzes Russia's demands for NATO troop withdrawal from Eastern Europe, viewing them as a tactic to gain concessions in Ukraine. He argues that these extreme requests serve as negotiation tools, aiming to shift the focus from Ukraine to broader European security. The Kremlin's strategy involves creating tensions among NATO allies while seeking to limit Ukraine's military capabilities. Bălăceanu emphasizes that such demands are unlikely to be accepted by NATO, which would leave Romania vulnerable without allied military presence. He warns against the potential for Russia to exploit divisions within Europe and expand its influence, particularly as the U.S. appears less engaged in European affairs.