NATO and EU push Spain and Greece to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Photo: Patriot air defense system (Getty Images)
NATO and the EU are trying to persuade two European countries to transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine. These are Spain and Greece, which have significant stockpiles, according to Bloomberg.
Spain and Greece have some of the largest stockpiles of Patriot interceptors among Ukraine's allies. The PAC-2 missiles are of particular interest to Kyiv and its partners.
According to Bloomberg, calls to this effect were made to Madrid and Athens as early as this summer.
According to an EU representative, the Ukraine aid issue is to be discussed by EU defense and foreign ministers during a meeting in Dublin. Representatives from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland will also join the talks.
Why countries hesitant to provide the missiles
Greece was among the first countries to supply Ukraine with ammunition after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. At the same time, Athens has resisted pressure to transfer Patriot missiles.
Greek authorities explain this by the need to maintain sufficient weapons stockpiles for their own defense amid a long-standing rivalry with Türkiye.
Spain had previously announced that it would provide Ukraine with 1 billion euros in military aid in 2026. However, a representative of the Greek government and a representative of the Spanish Ministry of Defense declined to comment to Bloomberg on the current negotiations.
Meanwhile, Europe is facing a shortage of Patriot missiles due to their active use during the US war with Iran. Part of the US stockpile in Europe has been redeployed to the Middle East.
At the same time, NATO and the Pentagon deny that the situation is critical. Restoring stockpiles could take years, and a significant replenishment is not expected until closer to 2030.
