NATO Summit Focuses on Enhancing Eastern Flank Air Defenses

Upcoming NATO summit in Washington will focus on enhancing air defenses along the alliance's eastern flank, as confirmed by Romania's President Klaus Iohannis. Romania, bordering Ukraine, has faced drone incursions from Russian attacks. A Patriot system donation to Ukraine and compensation agreements are pivotal discussion points.

NATO's forthcoming summit in Washington will address air defense enhancements along its eastern flank, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis revealed on Wednesday.

A NATO member since 2004, Romania shares a lengthy border with Ukraine and has encountered Russian drone fragments amid Moscow's attacks on Ukrainian ports adjacent to the Danube River. 'You will see in tomorrow's statement ... planned measures to bolster air defenses on the eastern flank,' Iohannis stated. 'This concerns us, there have been ... situations in which drones fell on our national territory.'

Romania announced in June its intention to donate a Patriot system to Ukraine, part of NATO states' commitment of five systems and other strategic air defenses to counter Russia's prolonged invasion. 'Our condition is that when we donate large-scale systems such as Patriot, we are adequately compensated,' he noted. 'Negotiations are ongoing with the American partner and NATO. We aspire to obtain another Patriot system eventually, but also hope for faster deliveries connected to air defense.' Romania, which signed a $4 billion deal for Patriots in 2017, has thus far received four systems, with two operational since the first shipment in 2020.

(With inputs from agencies.)