European states call on Donald Trump to deploy F-35s to Romania
Several European states have asked President Donald Trump to deploy F-35 fighter jets to Romania to bolster security guarantees for Ukraine, The Times reports.
“Senior military leaders across Europe are discussing the placement of US F-35 aircraft in Romania, where NATO is building its largest air base in Europe, to deter a fresh Russian invasion,” the British newspaper reported, citing the BBC.
The topic was debated at a meeting between the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, and military representatives from the UK, Germany, France, Finland and Italy.
Currently, NATO conducts air patrol missions over the Black Sea from the Mihail Kogălniceanu base, which served as a logistics hub for US troops during the Iraq War.
Additionally, as part of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing," London has proposed sending Typhoon aircraft to western Ukraine and 3,000 to 5,000 troops to train the Ukrainian army. According to The Times, France, Canada and Australia are also considering sending troops to support Kyiv.
The main directions for security guarantees for Ukraine were outlined following the August 18, 2025, summit at the White House, where Mr Trump met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders. These guarantees aim to strengthen Kyiv's defense capabilities after a potential peace agreement with Russia, without US troops being deployed on the ground.
The discussed plans include:
Coordinated military and financial support from the US and European states within the "Coalition of the Willing," led by the UK and France;
The acquisition of approximately $100 billion worth of American weapons, largely funded by European countries;
A separate deal for the production of drones in Ukraine, valued at $50 billion;
The possible deployment of multinational deterrence forces immediately after a ceasefire.
Mr Trump has ruled out sending US soldiers to Ukraine but has left open the option of providing air support and placing missiles in neighbouring countries. In parallel, European leaders have emphasised that these guarantees are vital not only for Ukraine but also for the security of the entire continent.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
