The leader of the Romanian far-right Alliance for the Unification of Romanians (AUR) party, George Simion, who won the first round of the presidential elections on May 4, 2025, has called for compensation to Bucharest for military aid provided to Ukraine, including the Patriot air defense system. In an interview with local media on May 8, he stressed that Romania would no longer “give money to other countries” and should benefit from its “sacrifices.” Simion has avoided making clear promises on new support packages for Kyiv, but has declared neutrality and orientation toward the policies of US President Donald Trump. His position has caused alarm in Europe and Ukraine, where there are fears that a possible victory for Simion in the second round on May 18 would radically change Romania’s foreign policy, weakening support for Kyiv in the context of the conflict with Russia.

Simion called the transfer of Patriot in 2024, carried out by the decision of former President Klaus Iohannis, "a mistake paid for by Romanian taxpayers."

"We demand compensation for Patriot and other expenses. These could be contracts, grain supplies or other forms of mutually beneficial cooperation, but Romania is not a charity," - he declared.

According to the European Pravda portal on May 9, the Patriot system, delivered last year, has significantly strengthened the defense of Ukrainian cities against Russian missile attacks, becoming a symbol of Bucharest's solidarity. However, Simion believes that such steps undermine national interests, insisting that "Ukraine needs Romania more than we need it."