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Romanian president states he's open to discussing sending Patriot system to Ukraine

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday he was open to going over sending out a. Patriot missile system to Ukraine after German attract. European Union and NATO member states to strengthen Ukraine's air. defences.

After appeals by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, EU. federal governments were advised last month to supply more severely needed. defence systems to Kyiv.

Germany has vowed an extra Patriot battery, while. Spain said it will deliver anti-aircraft Patriot missiles.

Other European countries consisting of Greece, the Netherlands,. Poland, Romania and Sweden also have Patriot systems.

There has been a conversation about who can send out Patriot. systems to Ukraine over the last couple of weeks, Iohannis told. press reporters in Washington after fulfilling U.S. President Joe Biden. in Washington.

President Biden mentioned it ... in our conference and I stated. I was open to conversation. I need to discuss it in the Supreme. Defence Council to see what we can provide and what we can get in. return, because it is unacceptable to leave Romania without air. defences, Iohannis said.

Romania signed a $4 billion deal to get Patriots in 2017,. the NATO and EU state's greatest procurement agreement to date,. with the first shipment provided in 2020.

Although Romania only has one battery in operation, Iohannis. said the discussions concerned another battery that is almost. functional.

The White House said Biden thanked Romania for its. commitment to security in NATO's east, including in the Black. Sea area, and praised its defence financial investments, which go beyond. NATO's target of costs at least 2% of GDP.

The leaders reaffirmed their unfaltering support for. Ukraine as it protects itself against Russia's ridiculous. aggressiveness, and President Biden revealed his appreciation for. Romania's assistance to Ukrainian refugees and efforts to move. Ukrainian grain to market, the White House stated, leaving out any. reference of Patriot missiles.

Romania, a NATO member given that 2004, shares a 650-km. ( 400-mile) border with Ukraine and has had Russian drone. fragments wander off into its territory repeatedly as Moscow attacks. Ukrainian ports just throughout the Danube River from Romania.

On Tuesday, Iohannis likewise said he had discussed with Biden. his bid for NATO's leading job. Iohannis reiterated he was not. withdrawing his candidacy in spite of strong assistance within the. alliance - consisting of from Biden - for outgoing Dutch Prime. Minister Mark Rutte.

Competitors is a good thing, 2 strong candidates since. in that way more subjects will be up for conversation, he said.

(source: Reuters)