Free Trial

NATO member Romania to send a Patriot missile system to neighboring Ukraine

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis exits a voting cabin during European and local elections in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, June 9, 2024. Voters across the European Union are going to the polls on the final day of voting for the European parliamentary elections to choose their representatives for the next five-year term. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — NATO member Romania’s top defense body said Thursday that the country will donate a Patriot missile system to neighboring Ukraine to help Kyiv in the war with Russia as Moscow’s forces continue to bombard civilian areas and energy infrastructure.

The office of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who chaired the Supreme Council of National Defense meeting in Bucharest, said the decision was made in close coordination with allies and is conditional on Romania obtaining a similar or equivalent system. The U.S.-made air defense system to be sent to Ukraine is one of several that Romania possesses.

“The decision was based on an in-depth technical evaluation of the Romanian authorities, all measures being taken to eliminate the risk of creating possible vulnerabilities for Romania,” Iohannis’ office said. “At the same time, they will continue discussions with allies so that our country’s air defense is further strengthened.”

The U.S. has donated a Patriot system to Ukraine, and earlier this month approved sending another. Other allies, including Germany, also have provided air defense systems. U.S. officials have routinely pressed for allies to provide air defense systems to Kyiv, but some Eastern European nations have been reluctant to give up the high-tech systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Western allies to boost his country’s air defenses in the face of sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid, which in recent weeks forced energy companies to institute nationwide rolling blackouts.

“Romania’s position is and will continue to be unequivocal in its multidimensional support of Ukraine, alongside the international community, in its legitimate right to self-defense against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked aggression,” Iohannis’ office said.

After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, NATO increased its presence on Europe’s eastern flank by sending additional multinational battlegroups to alliance members Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia.

Since then, Romania has played an increasingly prominent role in the alliance throughout the war, including opening an international training hub in southeast of the country for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries and other partners, including Ukraine.

___

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

→ First JFK… next Elon? (From Porter & Company) (Ad)

Should you invest $1,000 in Eastern right now?

Before you consider Eastern, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Eastern wasn't on the list.

While Eastern currently has a "Hold" rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

20 Stocks to Sell Now Cover

MarketBeat has just released its list of 20 stocks that Wall Street analysts hate. These companies may appear to have good fundamentals, but top analysts smell something seriously rotten. Are any of these companies lurking around your portfolio? Find out by clicking the link below.

Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.

Featured Articles and Offers

Recent Videos

From Landfills to Profits: Opal Fuels CEO Shares How the Company Turns Trash into Cash
The Real Reason Tesla Stock Is Soaring – and Why Tech Expert Says It Won’t Stop
Best ETFs for 2025: Growth, Stability, and AI-Driven Investing

Stock Lists

All Stock Lists

Investing Tools

Calendars and Tools

Search Headlines