European Parliament blocks decision on EU Council budget due to Patriot for Ukraine
European Parliament blocks decision on EU Council budget due to Patriot for Ukraine (Getty Images)
The European Parliament has blocked the decision to fund the European Council. The reason was the demand to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems, according to MEP, former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.
During his address at the European Parliament, the Renew faction deputy proposed removing from the agenda the decision to adopt the EU Council's budget until European countries provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missile defense systems.
Verhofstadt added that EU countries have around a hundred Patriot systems, while Ukraine needs seven such installations. The call by the European parliamentarian was supported by 515 lawmakers, with 62 voting "against."
"Parliament refuses discharge of the Council budget until European Council decided to support Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-missile systems," Verhofstadt wrote on his X.
BREAKING — Parliament refuses discharge of the Council budget until European Council decided to support Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-missile systems ! pic.twitter.com/zDvA4xyUct
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) April 11, 2024
Patriot for Ukraine
Ukraine has received the American Patriot missile defense system from its partners. Thanks to this system, Ukraine is able to intercept aeroballistic missiles like Kinzhal and other ballistic missiles launched at it.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that to fully protect Ukraine, 25 Patriot systems with 6-8 batteries each are needed.
At the same time, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba announced that Ukraine has identified 100 available Patriots worldwide but initially seeks to obtain seven for protection against Russian missiles.
