Romania approves Patriot missile system deliveries to Ukraine
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Following contemplation, Romania has decided to send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems.
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German soldiers assigned to Surface Air and Missile Defense Wing 1, fire the Patriot weapons system at the NATO Missile Firing Installation, in Chania, Greece, on November 8, 2017. (AP)
The Supreme Defense Council in Romania approved the transfer of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, the Romanian presidential administration revealed on Thursday.
"Taking into account the significant deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine, as well as the regional consequences of this situation, including for the security of Romania, in close coordination with the allies, the Council members decided to transfer the Patriot system to Ukraine," the statement read.
In May, President Klaus Iohannis was open to discussions entailing the possibility of sending Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine but under the condition that his country get something in return.
Just in time
This coincides with Germany's cessation of Patriot missile system deliveries to Ukraine due to its limited capacities, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced last week.
Speaking ahead of a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, Pistorius underlined that his country has given Ukraine a quarter of its Patriot systems.
"Germany has so far delivered two Patriot units to Ukraine and is in the process of delivering a third unit," Pistorius said. "We already provided three systems, which means a quarter of our capacities. So, there is no space to provide even more than those three systems."
The Defense minister emphasized Germany's significant contributions, though he suggested that other countries could potentially step in to provide additional support. "We delivered a lot, but others maybe can do more," he added.
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