According to Defence Ministry sources cited by Știrile ProTV and relayed by Cotidianul, Romania would be willing to pay about €15,000 for each U.S. service member stationed in the country — close to Poland’s model — plus lodging, food and access to schools and hospitals, including for families. In return, Bucharest would have asked for more U.S. troops and equipment.

Until now, costs for more than a thousand U.S. troops at Mihail Kogălniceanu have been borne by Washington. As the U.S. reassesses its European footprint, American officials reportedly want cost-sharing; the two sides are negotiating Romania’s contribution. The figures remain sourced claims, not a signed public contract.

Some facilities would be built as the Constanța base is modernised, with plans for it to become a small-town-scale complex by 2040, including housing, schools and a hospital. The 2005 cooperation agreement opened the U.S. presence; the first troops arrived at Kogălniceanu in 2007.

Proposals would go to the Pentagon via Elbridge Colby, who met Defence Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea in Bucharest on the Strategic Partnership. A final decision on U.S. force levels in Europe is expected from the Trump administration; some sources mention a December horizon without an official calendar.

Romania is trying to avoid a drawdown and, if possible, to strengthen the U.S. presence on the eastern flank. Any per-soldier payment or host package remains, at this stage, an offer under negotiation — not a voted budget obligation.

Source: România ar putea plăti 15.000 de euro pentru fiecare militar american staționat în țară (Cotidianul); Surse: România ar putea plăti 15.000 de euro pentru fiecare militar american (Știrile ProTV)