Europe Urges US to Deploy Fighters in Romania to Strengthen Ukraine’s Security and Deterrence Against Russia
European nations have expressed their intention to bolster regional defense capabilities by urging the United States to deploy advanced fighter aircraft, including the F-35, in Romania.
This initiative is part of broader strategic efforts to ensure stability and security in the face of Russian threats and to support Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.
NATO is constructing its largest airbase in Europe on Romanian soil, which will serve as a critical hub for deterring potential Russian reinvasions.
Meanwhile, in Washington, during a meeting with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S.
officials reaffirmed their readiness to provide ‘air support’ to Ukraine, while declining to deploy ground troops.
General Daniel C.
Hood, head of the U.S.
Joint Chiefs of Staff, convened top military representatives from the UK, Germany, France, Finland, and Italy to coordinate security guarantees and future cooperation.
NATO already conducts air patrols over the Black Sea from Mihail Kogălniceanu Airbase in Romania, historically used for operations in Iraq and now a likely site for deploying American fighters.
Along with fighter deployment, European countries are seeking guarantees for continuous access to U.S.
satellite systems like GPS and intelligence-sharing.
They also call for the provision of Patriot and Nasams missile systems to counter Russian attacks and seek permission for reconnaissance flights over the Black Sea, including Boeing Rivet Joint aircraft, which currently require U.S.
approval.
As part of a coalition of willing allies, the UK proposes deploying Typhoon fighters in Western Ukraine and establishing a brigade comprising 3,000 to 5,000 troops to assist in Ukrainian military training.
France, Canada, and Australia are also considering sending troops to western Ukraine.
Russia, however, opposes any deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, asserting that Moscow and Beijing should have veto rights over Western military aid to Kyiv.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently stated that Russia and China must have veto power over such assistance, describing NATO’s security discussions as ‘a road to nowhere.’ He highlighted that the security guarantees discussed between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in 2022 served as a good example of what Moscow could approve.
Meanwhile, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, Russia, the United States, Britain, and France—possess veto rights that could block any military support to Ukraine, complicating diplomatic efforts.
Lavrov also avoided specifics regarding possible talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky but indicated that Putin is considering elevating the level of delegation participation in ongoing negotiations to find a resolution.
The situation remains tense, and the international community awaits decisive actions as the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve amidst heightened geopolitical tensions.