“Due to the escalation of air strikes against Ukraine The German government decided to strengthen Ukrainian air defense by sending another Patriot systemThe ministry said in a statement that the delivery will begin immediately.
Announcing the decision, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius declared that “Russian terrorism against Ukrainian cities and facilities causes limitless suffering.” He added: All this threatens the energy supply of the population and destroys the operational readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
He thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for sending the air defense system.
“I am grateful to (German) Chancellor Olaf Schulz for his decision to send additional Patriot air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine in addition to the existing ones,” Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging portal. “This is a true testimony to the support for Ukraine at a time of crisis for us,” he added, calling on allied countries to follow suit.
German government spokesman said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured the Ukrainian president of Germany's firm solidarity with Ukraine in his telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday.
According to the spokesman, during the telephone conversation, Schulz and Zelensky believe that further efforts by partners are necessary to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense system.
This is the third air defense system that Germany has delivered to Kiev. The Defense Ministry said the system is being sent at the request of the Ukrainian government and in consultation with allies.
In addition to Patriot missiles, Berlin has supplied Ukraine with a wide range of weapons, from artillery to armored combat vehicles. However, Olaf Scholz was criticized for not allowing the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles. Germany fears that these weapons will be used against targets inside Russia.
Cover image source: MTI Photo/Martin Divisek
