Rubio: US aims to convince NATO partners to give Patriots to Ukraine
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
The United States wants to discuss with its NATO allies the prospects of transferring Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. So far, no one wants to part with such weapons, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a press conference.
He reminded that Ukraine now needs additional Patriot batteries. Several European countries have such systems, but no one wants to share.
"If in fact Ukraine is a priority that so many countries in Europe say it is, they should be willing to share batteries that right now they don't have a need to use. So hopefully we'll be able to convince some of our NATO partners to provide those Patriot batteries to Ukraine because there are a number of countries that have them, but no one wants to part with what they have," the secretary of state said.
Rubio emphasized that the transfer of such systems to Ukraine is important.
Patriots for Ukraine
Just yesterday, on July 9, US President Donald Trump confirmed that Ukraine had asked Washington to transfer Patriot systems.
The American leader said that the US would consider such a request. But he did not make any specific promises.
Prior to that, there were rumors in the media that Trump might give Ukraine another additional Patriot system.
