Ukraine could receive more Western Patriots to protect its skies
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (photo: Getty Images)
Western countries could provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems. All that is needed is the necessary political will from its partners, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says.
Support for Ukraine, risks to civilians
The Danish prime minister emphasized that Western countries have the weapons needed to defend Ukrainian skies, although Denmark itself does not have such systems.
"We have Patriot systems around us. Denmark as a country cannot do this, but Ukraine can certainly be given more support when it comes to air defense," Mette Frederiksen said.
She stressed that delays in delivering air defense systems will have severe consequences for civilians during the winter.
"If we don't do this, Ukraine will face a winter in which the Russians will destroy everything around them, bomb the country, including with ballistic missiles, and kill many people," the prime minister warned.
US role in Patriots supply
According to Frederiksen, although European countries are now taking on a greater share of the burden of supporting Ukraine, they still need US involvement.
This is partly because the United States holds the license to manufacture missiles for Patriot systems.
New air defense decisions
As previously reported, Ukraine continues systematic talks with international partners to significantly strengthen its air defense and protection against ballistic threats.
In particular, Ukraine is working to secure additional French SAMP/T systems and implement the FREYJA project. Work is also underway on a special agreement with Germany to secure the delivery of PAC-2 missiles for Patriot systems.
Alongside purchases and assistance from partners, Ukraine is actively expanding its own development and production of ballistic weapons.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Patriot missiles are available worldwide. The president urged allies to make the necessary political decision to transfer them to Ukraine rather than keep scarce ammunition in storage.
