Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his second state visit to Romania on Thursday, where he and President Nicușor Dan signed a long-awaited strategic partnership covering defence, energy, minority rights, and economic cooperation — while both leaders called for breaking the EU deadlock on aid to Ukraine.

A Partnership Years in the Making

Zelensky was received at Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, where the two delegations held private and official talks before delivering a joint press statement. Romania and Ukraine signed a strategic partnership that had been under negotiation since 2023, previously blocked because Ukraine had not accepted all of Romania’s conditions. Political sources confirmed that the Ukrainian side ultimately agreed to all Romanian requirements, marking a significant upgrade in bilateral relations.

President Dan acknowledged a difficult shared history while striking an optimistic note: „We must not hide the fact that historically there has been mistrust between our countries. This mistrust disappeared when the war began in 2022.”

He added: „Today we signed an important document for our bilateral relationship. Romania and Ukraine are now assuming what they can achieve together.”

What the Agreement Covers

The strategic partnership spans several areas of cooperation:

• Military — support for Ukraine’s war effort and joint drone production on Romanian soil
• Energy — a separate energy collaboration document was also signed
• Connectivity — joint infrastructure projects between the two countries
• EU integration — Romania reaffirmed its diplomatic backing for Ukraine’s path into the European Union
• Minority rights — Romania secured guarantees on the continued operation of Romanian-language schools in Ukraine

„We received guarantees regarding the continuation of the functioning of schools in the Romanian language,” Dan underlined.

Zelensky Thanks Romania for Missile Defence

In his remarks, Zelensky expressed gratitude for Romania’s support throughout the war, with particular emphasis on air defence.

„Thank you to Romania for its strong stance throughout the four years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Europe. Thank you for the missile protection component,” he said.

He also pointed to Ukraine’s hard-won battlefield expertise as an asset for regional partners: „We believe that our entire region needs greater cooperation and the implementation of the expertise Ukraine has gained.”

On drone defence specifically, Zelensky noted that Ukraine’s experience could benefit other nations, including Middle Eastern states — and suggested Romania could become a manufacturing partner, similar to arrangements already in place with Germany and Denmark.

EU Deadlock on Ukraine Aid

Both leaders addressed Hungary’s ongoing block on a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine. President Dan was unambiguous: „It is not acceptable for a decision taken by the European Council, in its 27-member format, concerning an extremely serious matter, to be contested weeks later. The European Commission will present several legal options to break this deadlock. Romania will support any legal option to overcome the blockage.”

The issue is expected to remain unresolved until after Hungary’s parliamentary election on April 12.

F-16 Training Centre Visit

Following the talks, Zelensky also visited the Borcea Air Base, home to the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) at the 86th Air Base „Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță” near Fetești — where Ukrainian pilots have been trained on the advanced fighter aircraft. He also met with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan at Victoria Palace.