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The countries of the European Union, which have Patriot air defense systems, have not given a clear signal about whether they are ready to supply complexes to Ukraine to strengthen the air defense system, the Associated Press writes.
It is noted that the creation of the Patriot air defense system takes a long time (according to some estimates, up to two years), which is why countries do not want to abandon them and leave themselves unprotected.
"Germany had 12, it supplies three to Ukraine. There are two of them in Poland, which borders Ukraine, and it needs them for its own defense," the publication states.
The Netherlands agreed to financially support Germany's initiative to transfer another, third Patriot battery to Ukraine, and Sweden also "focused on financial contributions."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Jose Manuel Albarez, said that his country "will make decisions based on the power it has in its hands to support Ukraine."
And the vice-president of the European Commission, the high representative of the EU for foreign policy and security policy, Josep Borrell, noted that the EU itself does not own Patriot missile systems: "They are in the capitals, and they have to make decisions. Now everything has been said, and much remains to be done."
Air defense systems for Ukraine
We will remind, the other day Josep Borrell said that Europe should provide Ukraine with air defense systems from its own stockpile - you cannot always count on the USA.
He made the corresponding statement before the beginning of the meeting of the heads of foreign affairs of the "Big Seven" countries, which took place on the island of Capri (Italy). The high representative of the EU emphasized that the Europeans, the USA, Canada and Japan "must make quick decisions for greater support for Ukraine."
