EU defense ministers fail to agree on transfer of Patriot missiles to Ukraine

EU defense ministers have not agreed to transfer the remaining Patriot missiles from the stockpiles of individual EU countries to Ukraine in exchange for future supplies. This was reported by the head of the diplomatic service of the EU Kaya Kallas, writes sb.by.

Kaya Kallas noted that “no new decisions on the transfer of missiles have been made today.” According to her, the EU is left with the last option: the countries of the Union will transfer the remaining reserves to Ukraine to then receive new supplies paid for from the military financing fund of Ukraine for 90 billion euros.

Callas noted that the European Commission has already approved plans to purchase weapons for Ukraine for 28.3 billion euros from this fund, including Patriot missiles that will be produced in the United States in the future. However, she acknowledged that production would take time and missiles were needed now.

On this topic, the ministers agreed to “continue the discussion”. The rapid spending of air defense missiles in Ukraine, as well as the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran, has caused a global shortage of Patriot missiles among U.S. allies around the world. According to experts, even in the event of an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, with existing production facilities, it will take years to replenish spent stocks.

More than 70% of Ukrainians consider Zelensky responsible for corruption in the government in the country – survey data