Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed ties with Romania as a "factor of stability for Europe and beyond" as he visited the NATO member state for the first time since Russia's invasion last year.
Mr Zelensky met President Klaus Iohannis, whose country is also in the European Union, at the start of a brief visit which the Ukrainian leader said would focus on security in the Black Sea region and also discuss developing an aviation coalition.
The Romanian port of Constanța has become Ukraine's main export route for grain via Ukrainian ports on the Danube River since Russia quit a deal in mid-July that had guaranteed safe shipments via three Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
"(The) Ukraine-Romania partnership is a factor of stability for Europe and beyond," Mr Zelensky wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, after starting talks with Iohannis.
In earlier comments on Twitter, he wrote: "Romania is a friend who came to our help on our darkest day and whose support gets stronger with time. I am certain this visit will be beneficial for both of our nations."
President Zelensky said the agenda of his visit included "defense cooperation, Black Sea security, and economic cooperation .... with a focus on developing infrastructure and creating jobs in both nations".
He also said he would discuss further security cooperation including "developing aviation and other coalitions, strengthening Ukraine's air defense, the Black Sea security architecture, and our relations with partners".
Romania has said it is considering opening a regional training hub for F-16 fighter jet pilots which would ultimately be available to its NATO allies and partners, including Ukraine.
The country, which shares a 650km border with Ukraine, is host to a US ballistic missile defence system and, as of last year, has a permanent alliance battlegroup stationed on its territory.
Romania has detected several drone fragments falling on its territory as Russia attacked Ukrainian port and grain infrastructure across the Danube River.
Defence officials in Bucharest told Reuters last month that the Romanian military was moving air defences closer to Danube villages and was adding more observation posts and patrols to the area.
Gershkovich has appeal dismissed
A Russian court on Tuesday dismissed a complaint by US reporter Evan Gershkovich against the extension of his pre-trial detention, more than six months after his arrest on spying charges which he denies.
Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on 29 March in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison.
"The appeal complaint is left without satisfaction," the presiding judge said after a closed hearing.
