Romania ready to offer its bases for Ukraine peace guarantees, says PM
Photo: Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan (Getty Images)
Romania could become the key in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. The country is ready to offer its military bases to NATO allies, said Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Calea Europeană reports.
Bolojan emphasized that Romania will not send troops into Ukraine but is prepared to provide its bases for allied needs, including for the United States.
According to the Prime Minister, Romanian airfields are already used for aerial patrols and joint NATO exercises.
The country’s Defense Ministry added that Romania will participate in all allied decisions regarding Ukraine’s security guarantees, and its aviation infrastructure is a key element of NATO’s eastern flank.
Earlier, the British outlet The Times reported that European countries are urging the US to station F-35 fighter jets in Romania as part of security guarantees for Ukraine. Currently, Romania is building the largest NATO airbase in Europe, intended to help deter Russia.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
On August 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Washington with leaders from the US, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Finland, as well as the European Commission head and NATO Secretary General. The talks focused on future security guarantees for Ukraine.
Discussions included creating a mechanism reflecting some principles of NATO’s Article 5, but without Ukraine's direct membership in the Alliance.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States would participate in the guarantees system but stressed that the primary responsibility should fall on European partners. He also ruled out sending US troops to Ukrainian territory.
After the talks, Zelenskyy said the parties plan to finalize details within ten days.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in turn, presented a proposal for collective security guarantees for Ukraine that do not involve NATO membership.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow would accept such a mechanism only with China’s involvement. Zelenskyy rejected this, emphasizing that guarantees should come only from countries that genuinely support Ukraine.
Moreover, Russia suggested becoming one of Ukraine’s security guarantors, but the White House mocked the idea.
