Iohannis: It is a rather intense discussion about who can provide Patriot systems to Ukraine/ It is, in my opinion, unacceptable for Romania to remain without anti-aircraft defense/ I think we will find a solution

President Klaus Iohannis stated that Romania will continue to support Ukraine, but added that, in his opinion, it is “unacceptable” for Romania to provide the neighboring country at war with the only Patriot air defense system that is functional. The head of state explained that, in the discussions with Joe Biden, the issue was raised that Romania should help Ukraine with one of the other Patriot systems, “which are in advanced phases of operationalization”.

President Klaus Iohannis stated, on Tuesday evening, that Romania will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary.

“Romania will continue to support Ukraine as long as it is necessary, and I conveyed this to President Biden. Our common priority, both of the European Union and of the United States, is to not allow Russia to win this war in Ukraine”, said Klaus Iohannis, on Tuesday, at the end of the meeting with the American leader.

Asked whether Romania, which has a functional Patriot defense system, will provide Ukraine with such a system.

“There is obviously a need for air defense systems in Ukraine, advanced systems. In recent weeks there is a rather intense discussion about who can provide Patriot systems to Ukraine. Romania has such systems and then, of course, we were also asked. And President Biden brought up this issue and I told him that I am open to discussing these issues, which means that I will have to discuss it at home, in the CSAT, to see how we can raise the issue, what we can offer and obviously what we can receive in return, because it is, in my opinion, unacceptable for Romania to remain without anti-aircraft defense. I think we will find a solution. It is a single Patriot system. Believe me, I know more details, but yes, there is a functional one that will remain in Romania, the others that are in advanced phases of operationalization and we were talking about one of them”, stated Klaus Iohannis.

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