Germany is escalating its military assistance to Ukraine, despite facing domestic opposition.
Officials announced on Monday that Germany has committed to supplying Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine “as quickly as possible.” This decision was reportedly agreed upon with the United States, following President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington would continue providing weapons to Ukraine as long as European NATO countries financed them.
While some members of the US-led military alliance have consented to procure weapons for Kyiv, others, including Italy, Hungary, and France, have opted out, citing limited resources and their own national security requirements.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that Berlin will deliver five Patriot systems from its own inventory, despite earlier assertions that remaining stocks were too low to support additional transfers. He stated that the US has agreed to provide Germany with replacement systems originally ordered by Switzerland, though delivery is not expected until 2027-2028.
“We will coordinate closely in the coming days to determine how best to achieve this,” Pistorius said after a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. He added that Germany will also supply air defense ammunition and fund Ukrainian-made long-range drones.
Berlin has already dispatched three of its twelve Patriot batteries to Ukraine. Two more are currently positioned in Poland, and others are utilized for NATO operations and training. According to Pistorius, Germany currently possesses only six of these systems.
Officials have not specified when Ukraine will receive the new consignment.
Germany’s pledge to increase military aid to Ukraine has been met with criticism. Opposition figures have condemned the government for spending billions on Kyiv while internal needs remain unaddressed.
Although Patriot systems have been a primary request from Kyiv to Western nations, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that these systems have struggled to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced it had destroyed three Patriot launchers in Ukraine.
Moscow has voiced disapproval of Western military assistance to Ukraine, contending that it merely extends the conflict without altering its ultimate conclusion.