US encourages partners to transfer some of their Patriots to Ukraine - Austin
Photo: Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin (Getty Images)
The United States of America asks countries that have Patriot air defense systems to transfer some of them to Ukraine to protect it from Russian attacks, according to the Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin.
“There are countries that have Patriots, and so what we’re doing is continuing to engage those countries. I have talked to the leaders of several countries myself here in the last two weeks, encouraging them to give up more capability or provide more capability,” he said.
At the same time, the Pentagon chief did not specify the countries with which he discussed assistance to Ukraine but said he would continue making such calls.
Patriot for Ukraine
As stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs about 25 Patriot systems to fully protect its skies, which could be provided by partner countries.
Germany was the first to agree to help Ukraine, announcing the transfer of an additional Patriot system to Ukraine.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said that her country would provide Ukraine with Patriot missiles as part of its next military aid package.
Meanwhile, Greece has refused to provide Ukraine with its Patriot system.
Also recently, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said that the United States may have a spare Patriot system that could be transferred to Kyiv.
In turn, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin did not rule out supplying Ukraine with additional Patriot systems.
