A theoretical discussion about NATO contingency planning has erupted into a nationwide political storm in Romania, after comments by Defense Minister Radu Miruță on possible troop deployment scenarios to Greenland were distorted, amplified online, and weaponized by political actors and social media influencers.
Romania’s Defense Minister, Radu Miruță, spoke recently on Antena 3 CNN about potential scenarios that could arise in the event of a possible U.S. takeover of Greenland. The minister said Romania is “closely monitoring” speculation regarding the possibility that the Trump administration might consider withdrawing the United States from NATO.
Miruță also suggested that if European states were to decide to deploy troops to Greenland, Romania could adopt a position similar to its current stance on Ukraine: “without the Romanian soldier’s boot on the ground.”
“We are not a nuclear power. We are a country that has experienced what it means for Russia to act on Romanian territory. We are a nation that supported NATO and welcomed our accession to NATO, and NATO has always been a protective umbrella in case of anything else. I don’t believe it will come to that. No one benefits from NATO breaking apart. Separately, countries are weaker — and this is not about Romania, France, or the UK; it’s about each country’s individual interest in being part of NATO. Of course, this discussion started after the statements about Greenland,” the minister said.
Regarding the possible deployment of Romanian troops to Greenland alongside other European states, Miruță explained that there are two hypotheses: one involving the invocation of Article 5 — meaning a NATO member state is attacked and other members are obliged to contribute — and another involving a similar situation to the “coalition of the willing,” where troops are deployed without invoking Article 5.
From scenarios to misinformation
Although the statements clearly referred to theoretical scenarios, several Romanian media outlets suggested that Romania was on the verge of sending troops if the situation required it. PS News and Gandul.ro were among the publications that ran headlines such as:
“Radu Miruță announces Romania could send troops to Greenland: ‘It’s no coincidence’” and
“Radu Miruță announces Romania could send troops to Greenland after Trump’s warning: ‘The decision will be made in the CSAT’.”
The information spread rapidly on social media, generating thousands of reactions within approximately 12 hours. The two articles gathered numerous comments criticizing the “decision,” despite the fact that no decision had been made.
A Facebook page called “Giurgiu Acum” mocked the news, publishing an image of several men dressed in dresses and skirts, with the caption: “After Defense Minister Radu Miruță announced that Romania might send troops to Greenland against Trump, the first USR fighters have already reported for enlistment.”
On TikTok, the account robert.ghi – which publishes exclusively political content praising the sovereignist movement – promotes the idea that Romania is now not only fighting Russians, but Americans as well.
Another viral TikTok clip features Realitatea PLUS moderator Anca Alexandrescu commenting on the minister’s statements. The video, taken from a January 12 broadcast, has tens of thousands of reactions and is fueled by comments criticizing a “decision” that does not exist.
Influencer BobbyD, a conspiracy theorist and supporter of the sovereignist movement, presents the information as already settled: ”Miruță is sending troops to Greenland”.
Former SOS Romania senators and AUR lawmakers call for minister’s dismissal
The PACE – Romania First Group, formed by former senators elected on the SOS Romania lists (the party founded by extremist MEP Diana Șoșoacă), announced that it will file a simple motion against Defense Minister Radu Miruță in February, on the first day of the ordinary parliamentary session, regarding the handling of national security and defense policy in the context of statements about the “potential deployment of Romanian troops to Greenland,” according to Agerpres agency.
According to Senator Clement Sava, the motion is signed by 12 Romania First senators and 28 AUR senators. “Romania is a state located in a zone of maximum strategic sensitivity, on NATO’s eastern flank, with direct responsibilities regarding Black Sea security, EU border defense, and regional stability. In this context, any public statement regarding the possible engagement of Romanian armed forces in distant theaters of operations such as Greenland must result from a rigorous strategic analysis – legally, operationally, and politically grounded – and not from speculation or political communication exercises”, according to the motion text.
Miruță stressed that he never claimed Romania would send troops to Greenland
“I did not say that for a single second,” he said at B1 Tv. Instead, the minister explained, he merely outlined the procedural framework and decision-making steps that would apply in hypothetical scenarios.
He detailed two possible situations: one in which NATO’s Article 5 is invoked, and another involving a so-called “coalition of the willing.” “That does not mean Romania would support either option,” Miruță said, adding that he only described how decisions would be taken — first by the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT), and then, in theory, by Parliament.
“My statement was simply an answer to a question about what the options are in case of such a scenario,” he concluded.
