Romanian Defense Ministry Submits Bill To Donate Patriot Missile System To Ukraine

The Parliament in Bucharest has received for debate and vote in the fall session—set to begin next week on September 2—the bill submitted by the Ministry of National Defense (MApN), which proposes the donation of a Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine.   The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmitro Kuleba had previously hinted US, Romania and the Netherlands to deliver the promised Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine more quickly, Kyiv Independent reports.   “Good progress has been made and announcements have been made, but again some Patriot systems have been announced and have not yet been delivered,” Kuleba told reporters ahead of an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels.   Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany and one from the US. Other countries, such as the Netherlands and Spain, have delivered individual launchers or missiles.   The US, Romania and the Netherlands each committed in June to delivering an additional system, but so far no announcement has been made regarding their arrival. “Some complain (about) bureaucracy, others claim that there are domestic delicate moments in their politics,” Kuleba said. “We are paying for all these delays with damage and loss of life.” “The promised batteries “are there, ready to ship. What is missing is only the final approval, the green light to do it,” Kuleba pointed out.   The highly advanced Patriot systems played a crucial role in protecting Ukrainian territory from air attacks. They are capable of taking down even the most advanced ballistic missiles such as the Kinjal. They are not the only Western systems that make up Ukraine’s air shield. Kyiv also received IRIS-T, NASAMS, Hawk and SAMP/T systems.   “The completion of the donation will enhance Romania’s position as a regional security provider and strengthen the partnership with the United States,” says the Ministry of National Defense in the document sent to the Legislature.   The Ministry of Defense mentions that it will provide one of the seven Patriot systems in the 3+ configuration purchased from the U.S. The donation will be made by amending Law 222 of 2017, through which Romania purchased seven Patriot systems from the United States for nearly 4 billion dollars, according to the bill reviewed by Europa Libera.   The Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) approved the donation in a meeting held in June.