Romania, a member of NATO, plans to aid Ukraine by sending a Patriot defense system.
Romania, part of NATO, has declared its intention to aid Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression by offering a Patriot defense system. In exchange, Romania seeks support from fellow NATO members, particularly the US, to secure its own airspace with a similar system, as stated on Thursday.
Romania is reportedly in talks with its NATO allies, particularly the US, to procure an equivalent system. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis conveyed to Biden in early May during their meeting that it was unacceptable for the Romans to be without air defense capabilities.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging for seven Patriot systems to bolster his country's defenses against Russian aerial attacks. However, diplomatic sources indicate that NATO is having trouble securing these commitments before its summit in Washington from July 9-11.
Germany has been the only NATO ally to promise an additional Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, aside from the two previously delivered. The US, according to a New York Times report, plans to supply another. The US Defense Department initially declined to comment on the matter. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg mentioned that more commitments from NATO nations "may be announced in the coming days or weeks."
Ukraine is still under relentless attack from Russia and is lacking sufficient military equipment. The Charkiw region in northeastern Ukraine is still enduring heavy Russian shelling.
