Romania is set to transfer to Ukraine the 23rd military aid package since the start of the war, according to Ukrainian defense minister Denys Shmyhal.<\/p>\n
Romania \u201chas already provided Ukraine with 22 military aid packages, and soon our soldiers will receive the 23rd,\u201d the minister said in a Facebook post, without giving details about what it contains.<\/p>\n
The statement follows the meeting between the Ukrainian official and Romanian counterpart Liviu-Ionu\u0163 Mo\u015fteanu.<\/p>\n
This is the first time that such information has been made public, since Romanian officials have been wary to disclose the exact nature of Romania\u2019s aid to Ukraine.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Shmyhal and Mo\u015fteanu reportedly agreed that the two countries will intensify coordination between the air defense forces.<\/p>\n
\u201cRomania continues the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 and brings other significant contributions to the formation of our air defense shield,\u201d Denys Shmyhal mentioned. He also thanked Romania for its unwavering support in key areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ministers also discussed the possibility of using the European SAFE mechanism to launch joint projects for technology exchange and for \u201claunching Ukrainian production in Romania,\u201d Shmyhal wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe focused on the development of industrial cooperation. The priority is the production of interceptor drones and long-range drones,\u201d stated Denys Shmyhal.<\/p>\n
Another important topic on the agenda of the discussions in Kyiv was, according to the Ukrainian minister, Romania\u2019s accession to the PURL initiative, which provides Ukrainian soldiers with American weapons.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful to the Romanian government and people, and personally to Mr. Mo\u015fteanu, for their effective cooperation and strong support given to Ukraine,\u201d wrote the former prime minister at the end of his Facebook post.<\/p>\n
In turn, the Romanian minister of defense said that Romania will continue to stand by Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will collaborate on the development of Romanian-Ukrainian military products through the European SAFE Program, involve Romanian companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine, and we will work for strengthening security in the Black Sea,\u201d Mosteanu added.<\/p>\n