Ukraine/Romania – The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled on 10 October to Bucharest where he visited his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis. Following their discussions, both statesmen declared having decided to elevate the Ukraino-Romanian relations to the level of a strategic partnership.
Ahead of the summit, the Ukrainian Head of State hat stated that “Ukraine is grateful for Romania’s support, which strengthens our state, as well as its constructive solidarity, which enables our nations to be security donors for the world, notably in food security.”: “We will discuss further security cooperation, developing aviation and other coalitions, strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, the Black Sea security architecture, and our relations with partners.”
According to the following statements of Zelenskyy on Twitter, “defence cooperation, Black Sea security, […] economic cooperation [as well as…] the situation in the Middle East” we on the agenda of their discussions.
Romanian support for Ukraine “until victory against Russian aggression”
During a common statement following their talks, the Romanian president said: “We are currently focused on helping Ukraine win the war, but as neighbours and partners, we have a duty and responsibility to design our relationship for the long term. […] I assured President Zelenskyy today of the determination of Romania and the Romanian nation to continue multidimensional and consistent support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, including the military one, for as long as it takes until victory against Russian aggression, until the liberation of the entire territory, accountability of all those guilty of the crimes committed and, further, in the process of rebuilding and rebuilding the country. […] Supporting Ukraine is a strategic interest of Romania. Strengthening Ukraine’s security means strengthening Romania’s security.”
Meeting with the heads of the Romanian parliament
After his meeting with Klaus Iohannis, president Zelenskyy was welcomed at the Romanian Senate by Senate’s president Nicolae Ciuca and the and the current acting president of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies, Alfred Simonis. He also “thank[ed] them for their unwavering support for Ukraine”, expressing his “grateful[ness] to the Romanian Parliament for supporting Ukraine in numerous crucial decisions.”
Good agreements on weapons and a grain corridor through Moldova and Romania
In a statement published in the evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced to have concluded “good agreements on weapons” with Romania: “I can’t reveal everything now, but the shells are a plus, and the strengthening of air defense is a plus. We are still preparing some things. They will be powerful. An F-16 Pilot Training Center is being created in Romania, and Ukrainian pilots will be among the first to be trained […] We can rely on Romania. Romania can definitely rely on Ukraine. Together, we will significantly strengthen our region.”
Furthermore, the Ukrainian president also announced the launching of a grain corridor from Ukraine through Moldova and Romania”: “This is an example of how much we can do together, which will be of significant importance not only for us, but also for Europe and the world as a whole.”
