Germany Considers Purchasing Patriot Missiles to Support Ukraine Amid Halt of U.S. Supplies
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday to discuss the possibility of Germany acquiring U.S. Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine, following a suspension of crucial U.S. arms shipments to Kyiv.
A spokesman for the German government stated in comments to Reuters on Friday that Merz initiated the call in an attempt to urge the U.S. administration to resume deliveries of the Patriot systems, particularly since some shipments have been suspended by the U.S. Department of Defense due to dwindling stocks.
The spokesman indicated that the German government is engaged in “intensive talks” with the U.S. side regarding the purchase of these defensive systems, aimed at helping Ukraine fend off one of the most intense waves of Russian attacks since the war began in 2022. He confirmed at a press conference that several options are under consideration to secure these systems, including a direct purchase from the United States followed by their transfer to Kyiv.
Earlier this week, sources informed Reuters that the U.S. had halted the delivery of 30 Patriot missiles to Ukraine due to a shortage in stock, prompting Kyiv to warn of potential threats to its defensive capabilities.
These German moves come as part of an initiative launched last month by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius through the “Ramstein Group,” which includes around 50 countries supporting Ukraine, aimed at securing additional air defense systems. Minister Pistorius is scheduled to travel to Washington later this month for talks with his American counterpart concerning the initiative and the industrial defense capabilities of both nations.
The spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense indicated that these issues will “definitely be on the agenda” for the visit, while the U.S. Embassy in Berlin has not yet provided immediate comment on these developments.
Previously, Pistorius hinted at the possibility of purchasing Patriot systems available outside the production schedules to expedite their delivery to Ukraine, which is facing a severe shortage of these systems, crucial for defending against Russian missile attacks, particularly ballistic ones.
