Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken with his Romanian counterpart Nicușor Dan ahead of this weeks’s meeting of the US and Russia’s presidents and a visit by the Romanian president to Ukraine.
The two leaders spoke on Tuesday, ahead of the US President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimr Putin’s summit in Alaska on Aug. 15 to which the Ukrainian leaders has not been invited.
Romania which shares a 630-kilometer border with Ukraine has been one of Kyiv’s staunchest allies in the region since Russia staged its invasion in 2022 and will directly be affected by the outcome of the talks in Alaska.
Romania has opened its borders to thousands of refugees, ensured the safe transport of grain across the Black Sea and delivered weapons and military know-how to Ukraine.
“I thanked Nicușor Dan and all EU leaders for today’s statement of clear support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. We all agree: the first step toward a just peace must be a ceasefire,” Zelensky said.
He added that the future epends on the determination of US President Donald Trump and the unity of Europe.
“If Russia is not ready to stop the killings, then there must be sanctions on its economy that will force it to do so,” he said.
In late July, Dan promised military support to Ukraine. The transfer of Patriot air defense missile systems has not yet been discussed.
Ukrainian media reports said that Romania’s Defense Ministry has begun talks with Ukraine on joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles, which could also be exported to other European countries.
Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu and Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko agreed to strengthen cooperation between the neighbors on Aug. 7.
Russia indignant with Romania for not condemning Ukraine for violating its airspace
