Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Coiu met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev last night, Agerpres agency reports. During the meeting, she conveyed a message of support on behalf of Romania and stressed that Ukraine is fighting for the security and freedom of both Romania and the whole of Europe, BTA reports.
„We are building a strategic partnership between Romania and Ukraine for peace, strong democracies and prosperity. (…) Ukraine is also fighting bravely for the security and freedom of Romania and the whole of Europe. This is a war that Ukraine did not want, but which today it is fighting with determination in the name of the values that Romania also believes in - freedom, sovereignty and independence,“ Oana Coiu wrote on Facebook.
She added that while Ukraine resists, Romania's security also improves.
“Together we are developing a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity. It is in Romania's direct interest for this peace to be fair and sustainable, to guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and European path of Ukraine, as well as the stability and security of our region,“ the minister pointed out.
During the meeting with President Zelensky, she discussed how Romania and Ukraine can deepen their cooperation for the benefit of the prosperity of both countries. “Cooperation in the field of defense and economy is in the interest of Romanian industry and Romanian citizens. "We also talked about the European path of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and the fact that Romania is a partner of both countries, so that we can be stronger and more prosperous in a united Europe," Tsoi said.
President Zelensky, quoted by Ukrinform, indicated that they discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region, the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Romania, and common infrastructure and energy projects. He expressed gratitude for Romania's constant support - military, political and logistical, as well as for the significant strengthening of Ukrainian air defense.
In September 2024, Romania donated a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. Since November 2023, a European F-16 fighter pilot training center has been operating at a Romanian air base near Fetești, where Ukrainian pilots are also trained.
Minister Oana Coișu also met in Kiev with her Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sibiga. At the meeting, she stressed the importance of protecting the rights of national minorities, including the right to education, religion and free association.
“Our communities, the Romanian one in Ukraine and the Ukrainian one in Romania, are very important. In this regard, I welcome the intention of the Ukrainian authorities to declare August 31 as the Day of the Romanian Language,“ said Oana Coișu, quoted by the press service of the Romanian Foreign Ministry.