Germany will send new Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, taken directly from the stocks of the German army (Bundeswehr), which Kiev urgently needs to counter Russian missile attacks, promised German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, on Tuesday at a new meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine, made up of about 50 countries that militarily and financially support Ukraine in the war with Russia, according to AFP and Reuters agencies, quoted by Agerpres.
“I urge all members of the Contact Group for the defense of Ukraine to check their own stocks and make similar deliveries,” indicated the German Minister of Defense.
“I am aware that it is not easy to find a balance between one’s own security needs and the support that Ukraine urgently needs. But, please, if you have doubts, decide in favor of Ukraine,” insisted Boris Pistorius. “Unfortunately, we can expect Russian air raids to intensify again as temperatures drop, and then the damage will be even greater,” he warned.
The German minister did not specify, however, the number of Patriot interceptor missiles that will be supplied to Ukraine, nor the schedule of these deliveries. But he added that Germany will also increase the supply of other types of anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as well as drones and long-range ammunition.
In June, also at a meeting of the respective group of countries, Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package, worth 400 million dollars, part of this amount being intended for the purchase of interceptor missiles for the American Patriot anti-aircraft systems.