German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will meet with Romanian counterparts during the visit | Photo: DW

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will arrive in Romania today for a state visit.

Steinmeier will meet his Romanian Counterpart President Klaus Iohannis as well as representatives of ethnic minorities in the country—including the country’s German-speaking minority of which Iohannis is also a part. The main topics of discussion will likely revolve around support for Ukraine. Both countries are not currently members of the international coalition to supply Ukraine with the US made F-16 fighter jets. Germany does not operate the F-16 however many German politicians have spoken in favour of assisting in other ways. Meanwhile, Romania’s previous experience in transitioning from using mainly Russian-made Soviet equipment towards US and western arms may prove useful to Ukraine should it decide to join the coalition.

Germany could decide to support Romania indirectly should it choose to participate in the F-16 coalition by deploying more soldiers and aircraft to the country’s border with Ukraine expanding on the existing deployment of Eurofighter jets in Romania and NATO deployments in the Baltic States. Such additional German assistance might reduce any concerns Romania has about a shortage in aircraft as a result of delivering the F-16 to Ukraine.