Germany, Romania offer Ukraine aid to repair military equipment

Germany and Romania closely cooperate in supporting Ukraine both at the bilateral level and as partners in the EU and allies in NATO.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President of Romania Klaus Iohannis stated this during a joint briefing in Bucharest on April 3, reports Ukrinform.

"Our cooperation on the issue of supporting Ukraine is very intensive… I can assure you, we will continue to do this with the help of many certain steps," said Scholz.

He noted that this support concerns, particularly, issues of repair and maintenance of military equipment, which is transferred to Ukraine. It is about the creation by the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall of a service center for Western military equipment used by the Armed Forces in Romania's Satu Mare.

The chancellor called the peculiarity of this war that the equipment must be repaired outside Ukraine but close to its borders.

"We are glad that so many European states, members of the EU, are ready to do this together with us," the politician said.

He also thanked Romania for accepting a large number of Ukrainian refugees, which is a "great humanitarian gesture," as well as logistical assistance within the framework of the "Roads of Solidarity" initiative to deliver Ukrainian grain.

Iohannis confirmed that his country helped export a lot of grain from Ukraine. He informed that 3.8 million refugees left the territory of Romania further to the west, of which more than 110 thousand remained.

Commenting on the creation of the equipment repair center, he called it a significant German investment and economic cooperation, but not only that.

"It is important to continue to support Ukraine as much as necessary. Both at the level of the EU and member states," the President of Romania said.

He spoke in favor of strengthening NATO's eastern flank and strengthening the Alliance's presence in the Black Sea, which is of extreme strategic importance, especially now.

Both leaders confirmed their support for EU enlargement, particularly at the expense of Ukraine and Moldova.

Scholz is in Bucharest on a one-day visit, during which he will also meet with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

For reference:

The German arms concern Rheinmetall is negotiating the construction of a tank plant in Ukraine. According to the head of the concern, the plant could produce up to 400 main battle tanks of the "Panther" type per year. He called the negotiations with the Ukrainian government "very promising."

"Panther" is a concept of a new tank, which the Rheinmetall concern presented in the summer of 2022. This development based on Leopard 2  is most convenient for countries with Leopards in service.

The head of Rheinmetall is convinced that the plant can be protected from russian air raids.