Ukraine’s ruler, Volodymyr Zelensky, has claimed that Kiev has received more patriot missiles to aid its military in the war against Russia. The United States-made Patriot air defense systems from Germany.
Germany has been a long-time supporter of Ukraine and its war.
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Zelensky has been pressing his Western backers for more long-range weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and additional Patriot batteries. The New York Times reported in May that although the country possessed eight Patriot systems, only six were operational. The same report discussed more systems and how Western allies were choosing to get them to Ukraine.
In a post on X on Sunday, Zelensky thanked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Our agreements have been fulfilled. More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation,” he wrote. But he added that more weapons are still needed. “Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of Ukraine, and we will continue working to obtain them – not only at the political level with states and leaders but also directly with manufacturers of all necessary air defense systems and missiles for them,” he added.
Moscow has repeatedly maintained that the military and weapons assistance given to Kiev will only prolong the inevitable outcome of Russia winning the war.
The Russian Defense Ministry claims it has destroyed around 40 Patriot launchers since 2023.
Each missile system costs about $1 billion, accoridng to a report by RT. Ukraine hopes to finance the purchases through an EU loan backed by frozen Russian assets. Russia has condemned any attempt to confiscate its assets as theft.
Just last month, Zelensky said Ukraine and the United States were preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. He added that deliveries could take years unless European Union states demonstrate “goodwill” by prioritizing Kiev or transferring systems they already possess.