Romania Considers Sending Patriot Missile Defense System to Ukraine

Following discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on Tuesday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis expressed readiness to explore the possibility of sending the Patriot missile system to Ukraine.

This statement comes amidst increasing calls, notably from Germany, for European Union and NATO members to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

Iohannis said, “Over the past few weeks, there has been a discussion about who can send Patriot systems to Ukraine. President Biden mentioned it… during our meeting, and I said that I am open to discussing it. I must discuss this in the Supreme Defense Council to see what we can offer and what we can get in return, because it is unacceptable to leave Romania without air defense.”

Previously, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on European countries to provide Ukraine with more military equipment from their stocks. On May 6th, the Spanish government announced that Ukraine had already received missiles for Patriot air defense systems, which were transferred to them by Spain and other allies.