Germany’s federal government is urgently working on a solution to provide Ukraine with new air defense systems and a sufficient number of interceptor missiles, reports the Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Bild.
According to the German outlet, Berlin is currently awaiting confirmation from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding the transfer of two Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, which Germany intends to finance. Sources say the request was submitted to the United States several weeks ago.
Previously, Ukraine unsuccessfully tried to acquire Patriot systems directly from the U.S. and subsequently turned to the German government for assistance. Bild reports that Berlin is concerned the U.S. might reject Germany’s request, especially in light of Washington’s recent announcement suspending certain arms shipments to Ukraine.
This issue was discussed at a German federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where it became evident that the halted U.S. deliveries could not be fully compensated through other means. However, as Bild notes, Germany and other allied countries are now aiming to supply Ukraine with at least some Patriot systems from their own stockpiles.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he plans to raise the topic of continued arms and ammunition supplies—including Patriot PAC-3 missiles—from the United States in a conversation with President Donald Trump. Zelensky also stated that Ukraine is currently clarifying the details of further military aid with the U.S. at a working level, following the reports of suspended deliveries.
Earlier we wrote that Patriot reached peak performance through use in Ukraine.