Romania to Open Second-Largest Logistics Hub for Ukraine in January 2026

This was stated by Mike Keller, Deputy Commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Defense Romania. According to the publication, the logistics hub will operate in tandem with the existing center in Rzeszow (Poland). Thanks to the new center, NATO will be able to double the maximum volume of military aid that partners supply to Ukraine. In particular, this applies to the PURL mechanism, under which the United States sells weapons to Ukraine and European countries pay for them. Defense Romania notes that, until now, the base in Rzeszow has been the main transport artery through which Ukraine received weapons for combat operations. However, dependence on a single major crossing point posed strategic risks and vulnerabilities. In turn, the launch of the center in Romania, which is scheduled for the end of January, will provide NATO with a stable southern route necessary for supplying the front in Donbas and coastal areas. “The new center in Romania will come under NATO’s direct command and will be integrated into the system for matching operational needs (artillery, air defense, electronic warfare) with donor capabilities,” the publication states. General Keller also spoke about the scale of aid to Ukraine. According to him, in 2025, partners delivered about 220,000 tons of military cargo. The operation was supported by 9,000 trucks, 1,800 railway cars and more than 500 strategic air shipments. Keller also explained how the United States supplies weapons to Ukraine under the PURL mechanism. “The United States does not wait for final payment before beginning delivery. As soon as the PURL package is announced, delivery of materials begins,” he said.