Germany is planning to purchase US-made Patriot air defence systems for delivery to Ukraine, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday, as Kiev urgently seeks stronger aerial protection amid escalating Russian missile and drone attacks, reported dpa.
"I discussed this with President [Donald] Trump last Thursday and also asked him to supply these systems," Merz said at a Ukraine reconstruction conference in Rome.
The defence ministers of both countries are negotiating a possible deal, but no final decision has been made yet, Merz said.
The German leader noted that the US needed some of the available Patriot systems for its own defence, without specifying how many systems Berlin intends to purchase.
The discussions concern two systems, dpa understands.
This week, Trump, airing his discontent over Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to meaningfully engage in peace negotiations, said he had approved a delivery of defensive weapons to Ukraine.
He later said that Ukraine's wish for an additional Patriot air defence system would be evaluated.
Germany, which also uses the Patriots, has supplied several air defence systems to Ukraine, but the Patriots are considered to be the most modern and effective.
The system is able to intercept aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at a distance of some 100 kilometres and at a height of up to 30 kilometres.
'We won't give up'
Earlier, Merz pledged continued solidarity with Ukraine during the two-day meeting in Rome aimed to discuss ways to fund reconstruction as Russian attacks continue.
"Our support for your country is unwavering," Merz told Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, who also joined the gathering of Kiev's allies in the Italian capital.
Addressing Putin, the German leader said: "We will not give up."
Merz also appealed to Trump not to abandon Europe, as Washington's commitment to Ukraine's defence remains unclear following a series of U-turns since Trump returned to the White House in January.
"Stay with us and stay with the Europeans. We are on the same page. And we are looking for a stable political order in this world," Merz said.
Merz was expected to join a number of allies in a video conference of the so-called "coalition of the willing" – a group of some 30 countries supporting Ukraine – to discuss strengthening the country's air defences, as Russia continues to pummel its smaller neighbour with heavy air attacks.
(By Michael Fischer and Christoph Sator)
- Germany
- US Patriot
- Ukraine
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
