European countries want US President Donald Trump to deploy fighter jets to Romania as part of US security guarantees to end the war in Ukraine, the British newspaper The Times reports, BTA reports.
According to the publication, senior European military leaders are discussing the possibility of US F-35 fighter jets being based in Romania, where NATO is building its largest air base on the continent.
The talks are taking place in Washington, following a meeting on Monday between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. Hosted by Gen. Dan Kaine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the discussions included generals from Britain, Germany, France, Finland and Italy.
Trump has already ruled out deploying US troops to Ukraine, but has said he is prepared to provide "air" support as part of US security guarantees.
NATO currently carries out air surveillance missions over the Black Sea from the Romanian base "Mihail Kogalniceanu", which was a major hub for US forces during the Iraq war. According to the Times, it is the most likely location for the F-35 to be deployed.
European countries are also demanding that the US continue to provide GPS and intelligence satellite data to Ukraine, as well as guarantee supplies of "Patriot" and NASAMS air defense missiles. They also want permission for reconnaissance flights by American aircraft over the Black Sea.
Within the framework of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, Britain has offered to deploy Typhoon fighter jets to western Ukraine and a brigade of 3,000-5,000 soldiers to train the Ukrainian army. France, Canada and Australia are also considering sending military instructors. However, Russia is categorically opposed to the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine.