Strategic partnership with Ukraine: drones produced in Romania and joint energy projects

Ukraine will provide support for building a drone production capacity in our country, according to the agreement signed yesterday at the Cotroceni Palace by Presidents Volodymyr Zelenski and Nicuşor Dan. The two presidents signed the Bilateral Strategic Partnership, as well as three other agreements. In addition to the document referring to cooperation in drone production in our country, the second agreement concerns the energy sector, the first objective being the construction of two interconnectors for electricity, the first interconnector to be completed by the end of 2026. The third agreement signed concerns the rights of the Romanian minority in Ukraine.

Immediately after the signing of the documents, President Nicuşor Dan stated: "Today is a moment in which the two countries assume mutual trust in what they can do together, the common responsibility for this part of Europe, for its citizens and for the entire region. That is why the document we signed is very important. In the document and in the discussions we had, we talked about the war in Ukraine, about the continued support offered by Romania, about our military cooperation and, in particular, about the joint production of drones in Romania. We reaffirmed our diplomatic support in all formats in which we can exercise it in the EU and NATO for a correct position and for the support that these bodies can bring to Ukraine in the war it is waging. We talked about connectivity between our countries and about joint projects for the economic benefit of our citizens. We talked about energy projects, about Ukraine's integration into the EU and we reaffirmed Romania's support for this process. We also discussed the Romanian minority in Ukraine and about the openness that Ukraine has and will have. for the Romanian minority. We received guarantees regarding the continuation of the functioning of schools in the Romanian language and for all other rights of the Romanian minority, in accordance with the rights of minorities established by the International Charter. The document signed today brings the level of protection of minorities to the standards established by the Council of Europe. If we talk about education, Ukraine has an education reform that, broadly speaking, merges schools, but makes an exception for minorities, to carry out their education in their native language in their localities. Regarding the church, the possibility of participating in religious services in the native language is re-assured, but the subordination of the Romanian community on a church line cannot be part of a document between states, but of a document between churches”.

He also said that he invited the President of Ukraine to participate in the B9 Format summit, which this year will take place on May 13, in Bucharest.

In turn, the Ukrainian president pointed out that, after the start of the war in the Middle East, it is clear that the security of each state is very important.

Volodymyr Zelensky said: "Our expertise is useful in the Gulf and in the manufacture of drones, and on the software side, as well as in the experience of Ukrainian drone operators, which we share. We will help the Middle Eastern states. We responded in the first days to the requests of the US and other states. We sent three groups of serious experts and, if there are more requests, we will send other groups, depending on the needs and availability, because we are still at war with Russia, but I can tell you that our partners are satisfied with the collaboration with us. (...) Drones represent a danger and that is why today I signed with President Nicuşor Dan a document on cooperation in the field of defense and a document for collaboration in the field of drones. We are also ready to collaborate on SAFE projects with Romania. We can also collaborate in the field of infrastructure, in the economic field and in the energy field. We are building two new lines for the supply of electricity in the Chernivtsi area. It is mutually beneficial for both states. The document referring to the construction of interconnectors was signed today. It is important to carry out projects in the field of gas exploitation in the Black Sea. We have concrete projects in the field of oil and gas, an area in which Romania can support us. We have great potential for strategic collaboration in this area. We need to carry out energy projects as quickly as possible. (...) I also talked about the B9 format and was invited to participate in the summit in May. We discussed humanitarian and cultural development between our states and I announce to you that I will sign a decree so that, on August 31, in Ukraine, the Day of the Romanian Language is celebrated, as I understand that in Romania there is a day when the Ukrainian language is celebrated”.

Regarding the construction of a drone manufacturing capacity in our country, the President of Ukraine showed that these are some of the cheapest weapons, unlike Patriot missiles or other types of interceptor missiles, which was also demonstrated in the Iran war.

Volodymyr Zelensky stated: "Over 700 missiles were used in the first 24-36 hours in the Middle East. Ukraine, in the four years of war, did not have so many missiles, but I am not complaining. 700 or 1000 missiles do not help when thousands of Shahed drones are flying, which cost $ 30,000 apiece, unlike missiles, which cost several million dollars apiece. The largest Patriot missile manufacturer in the US produces 60-70 missiles per month, unlike drone production, which is much higher. The problem is not to have interceptor drones, but to integrate this system into air defense and have the respective software, to which to add the experience of our military. Therefore, these things will be useful to everyone. Drones fly thousands of kilometers, and therefore any European state can be in danger. The system developed by Ukraine will be presented to American partners, but we want to develop it with our partners Europeans, including with Romania. Today we are talking about co-production, production capacities on the territory of Romania, which is a very important partner for us”.

During his statements at Cotroceni, President Nicuşor Dan was asked what will happen to the loan approved by the European Council for Ukraine, worth 90 billion euros, but blocked by Hungary.

Nicuşor Dan stated: "It is not acceptable that a decision taken by the European Council in the formula of 27, regarding a serious issue such as the loan granted to Ukraine, is contested two, three or four weeks later. Next week there will be a meeting of the European Council, and Ukraine and this topic are on the agenda. The European Commission will come up with legal options to get out of the deadlock, and Romania will support getting out of the deadlock, because it is not normal for an approved loan to be blocked later”.

After the meeting with Nicuşor Dan, President Zelenski went to the Victoria Palace for a brief meeting with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, after which he went to the European F-16 Training Center, hosted by the 86th Air Base "Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniţă" in Borcea, where Romanian and Ukrainian pilots are trained to operate F-16 fighter jets.

After the official visit to our country, President Zelensky will meet today, in Paris, with French President Emmanuel Macron. According to a press release issued by the Elysee Palace, the two presidents will discuss the current situation, the support of France and European partners in helping Ukraine defend itself, and ways to increase pressure on Russia, including by combating its ghost fleet. In addition, the conditions for a just and lasting peace and the commitments made within the Coalition of the Willing regarding security guarantees will be analyzed.