Romania to decide on sending Patriot to Ukraine
<p>Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defense/CSAT is meeting on June 20 to decide on a possible transfer of a Patriot missile system to Ukraine. The Defence Ministry reportedly opposes the transfer.</p>

<p>Last week, Romania’s second Patriot air defense system was declared ready for combat following its successful intercept of a target simulating a cruise missile during a live-fire exercise on the banks of the Black Sea. The country has received two other systems and expects another three out of a total of seven Patriot systems contracted for USD 3.9 billion in 2017.</p>

<p>The potential transfer of a Patriot system to Ukraine will be decided based on a report by the Ministry of Defense regarding the opportunity of such a step. According to <a href="https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/surse-mapn-nu-vrea-sa-trimita-rachete-patriot-in-ucraina-raportul-a-fost-trimis-lui-iohannis-inainte-de-sedinta-csat-de-joi-2831947?mc_cid=6a9cdabccd&amp;mc_eid=cd1f92f96c" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Digi24</a>, the report concludes that Romania should not transfer the missile system, a conclusion reached after discussions with army generals.</p>

<p>The report claims that there is a risk that Romania will no longer receive back the system transferred to a war zone where Russian artillery and aviation frequently attack Ukrainian military positions and installations.</p>

<p>Last month, during a visit to Washington, president Klaus Iohannis admitted that he had discussed with Joe Biden the possibility of Romania giving Ukraine a Patriot system. However, on May 22, he explained that such a decision would only be made in the CSAT and warned that he found it unacceptable that Romania would remain without anti-missile defense.</p>

<p><em>iulian@romania-insider.com</em></p>

<p><em>(Photo source: Facebook/Angel Tilvar)</em></p>