Although initially uncomfortable with Romania's close alliance with Germany, Antonescu strengthened the nation's ties with Adolf Hitler's regime after a string of early Axis victories against the Soviets.

Essentially running the interior ministry, he drafted a series of laws that resulted in thousands of Romania's Jews being forced out of their jobs and positions, while at the same time being denied access to countless other careers.

He attempted to persuade Hitler to make peace with the Western Allies and focus the full power of the Axis forces on the Soviet Union.

When the Soviets won the Battle of Stalingrad on 2 February 1943, Antonescu came to the conclusion that the war was lost for the Axis, proceeding to destroy files and documents that revealed his active persecution of Romania's Jews.

With Ion Antonescu's approval, he came to advocate the withdrawal from conflict of all minor allies of the Nazis – Romania, Hungary, Italy, and Finland.

Antonescu believed Benito Mussolini was powerful enough to stand up to Hitler, and that Italy could successfully negotiate an armistice with the Western Allies.