Romania to Provide Ukraine with Patriot Air Defence System
Romania is transferring an additional Patriot system to Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on the social network X, Ukrinform reports.
"I am grateful to Romania and President Klaus Iohannis for the decision to provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defence system," Zelensky said.
According to him, this crucial contribution will strengthen our air shield and help better protect people and critical infrastructure from Russian air terror.
"I appreciate Romania's strong leadership and principled support for Ukraine. It is important that this step strengthens the security not only of Ukraine, but also of our entire region and Europe," Zelenskyy said.
He added that by putting an end to Russian terror now, Ukraine prevents potential aggression against Moldova, Romania, the Baltic States and all our neighbours.
"It is extremely important for Ukraine to have the necessary tools to defeat Russian terror now, so that no one else will have to face a larger-scale aggression from Russia in the future," the Ukrainian President said.
According to Romania Insider, citing a statement by the administration of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, the Romanian Supreme National Defence Council decided to transfer the Patriot air defence system to Ukraine during a meeting on Thursday.
"Taking into account the significant deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine as a result of Russia's constant and massive attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially the energy sector, as well as the regional implications of this situation, including for Romania's security, in close coordination with NATO Allies, the members of the Council decided to transfer the Patriot system to Ukraine," the presidential administration said in a statement.
It added that the Patriot system is being transferred to Kyiv on the condition that Romania continues negotiations with its allies, especially the United States, to obtain a similar or equivalent air defence system.
At the same time, the country's Supreme National Defence Council noted that it was necessary to "identify a temporary solution to cover the operational vulnerability" created by this situation.