Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Romania\u2019s defense minister Radu Miru\u021b\u0103 visited the 86th Air Base \u201cLieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorni\u021b\u0103\u201d on Thursday, March 12, where Ukrainian pilots are being trained to operate F-16 fighter jets. The visit included meetings with staff and trainees at the European F-16 Training Center in Romania.<\/p>\n
During the visit, the two officials discussed continued support for Ukraine and strengthening defense capabilities on NATO\u2019s eastern flank, the Romanian Ministry of Defense said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe visit of president Zelensky to the air base in Borcea highlights the close cooperation between Romania and Ukraine in the field of security and defense and sends a clear message of solidarity and coordination among partners in the context of security challenges in the Black Sea region,\u201d defense minister Miru\u021b\u01ce said.<\/p>\n
The agenda also included talks about continuing training programs for Ukrainian pilots as part of allied efforts to strengthen Ukraine\u2019s air force. The first Ukrainian pilots began training at the center in 2024, and some have already taken part in combat missions against Russian forces.<\/p>\n
In a post on social media, Volodymyr Zelensky also said he met with Ukrainian service members currently training in Romania and discussed the conditions of their training and the challenges they face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank Romania, the instructors at the center, and everyone who is helping us defend ourselves and counter Russian terror. We will always be grateful to the United States for the opportunity to strengthen the protection of our sky with American fighter jets, as well as to Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, which have already transferred aircraft to Ukraine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n
Military leaders, including Chief of Defense Staff Gheorghi\u021b\u0103 Vlad and Air Force Chief Leonard Baraboi, also attended the visit at the training center.<\/p>\n
Earlier the same day, Volodymyr Zelensky also met with president Nicu\u0219or Dan and prime minister Ilie Bolojan. During the meeting at the presidential Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, the two leaders signed a strategic partnership declaration<\/a> and other documents, including plans for joint drone production in Romania.<\/p>\n Later, at the Government headquarters, Zelensky and PM Ilie Bolojan discussed cooperation in areas such as defense, energy, transport, and economic development, as well as Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction. Talks also covered energy interconnections, Black Sea hydrocarbon resources, and transport links, including the possibility of a bridge over the Danube between Orlivka and Isaccea and the development of direct rail connections between Kyiv and Bucharest.<\/p>\n Moreover, Bolojan also raised the importance of protecting the rights of the Romanian minority in Ukraine, including access to education in the Romanian language. He welcomed the decision that Romanian Language Day will be celebrated every year on August 31 in Ukraine.<\/p>\n In his turn, Zelensky assured that schools in Romanian communities would remain open and thanked Romania for its continued support since the start of the war.<\/p>\n\n irina.marica@romania-insider.com<\/p>\n