Kyiv’s appeals to European capitals for air defence systems have been rejected, amidst a week of unending missile and drone attacks by Russia, causing the loss of crucial energy installations in the strife-ridden nation. For some time, Ukraine has cautioned that it urgently needs air defence reinforcements to defend against the alarming number of Russian projectiles aimed at their power and heat infrastructure.
This week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy increased his requests for US-made Patriot batteries, criticising Kyiv’s western allies for their reluctance to take action, in the wake of a major power plant being devastated in the capital region. Speaking at the Three Seas summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Thursday, he stated that Ukraine had gotten used to a pattern of suffering Russian air assault as well as getting disappointed by western allies who pledge support but don’t follow through.
“Daily missile strikes and daily promises of reinforcements in our air defence. Everyday, Russian militants disrupt Kharkiv’s and our other cities’ power supply, and everyday we are told relief is on the way,” said Mr Zelenskiy. “It’s high time words were put into action.”
This week, Josep Borrell, the EU’s leading diplomat, remarked that it was “unimaginable” that western nations couldn’t allocate seven more Patriot batteries to Ukraine, considering an estimated 100 in their stockpile are surplus to requirements.
Kyiv is urging for Patriot systems from Spain, Poland and Romania to supply to Ukraine, according to two individuals privy to the negotiations as reported by the Financial Times.
“Seven is what they need,” one individual said. “But it’s not straightforward.”
European capitals have announced they have no plans to supply extra systems, defending their need to maintain their own defence resources.
Germany has given two Patriot systems to Ukraine but clearly stated this week that it would not be supplying additional ones for the foreseeable future.
The defence ministry said, “We are currently unable to offer any additional systems,” on Monday.
This has sparked discontent within the rival Christian Democratic Union (CDU). CDU MP and member of the Bundestag foreign affairs committee, Norbert Röttgen, believes Berlin could extend two more Patriot systems to Ukraine, as those previously loaned to Poland and Slovakia have already been returned.
The suggestion to furnish Kharkiv’s residents with aid was recently put forth, as it would contribute in ensuring their safety. Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, communicated to Bundestag deputies last week about constant discussions with global associates to locate any available Patriot defence systems.
Baerbock stated that there are global entities in possession of these systems, but they have shown reluctance to directly transfer them to Ukraine, choosing instead to use intermediaries. This plan is being aggressively pursued to guarantee swift implementation. She also pointed out that because certain NATO nations from Eastern Europe have outstanding defence needs, Germany cannot unilaterally decide to extend its air defence system without prior discussion with these countries.
The requests Ukraine has put forth underscore the importance of maintaining vital defence capabilities, sparking a debate on whether European NATO nations would drop below their predetermined minimum defence needs to provide support to Ukraine.
Finland’s president, Alexander Stubb, stated during this week that any decisions to go below strategic reserve levels should be made mainly by our defence forces and military, and such decisions should always be kept confidential. He made these comments in response to enquiries about whether other nations should provide further military aid to Ukraine.
Poland’s armed forces have reiterated their inability to spare Patriots for Ukraine at a time they themselves are awaiting U.S. shipments, following approval from Washington last June for an order worth $15 billion for Patriots and related equipment. While in Vilnius, Andrej Duda, the Polish president, recently dismissed the idea of deploying Patriot systems, keeping the door open for the potential transfer of more of its Soviet-era missiles to Kyiv. However, he did not specify details about the type or quantity.
Duda clarified, “In Poland, the installation of the Patriot anti-missile defence system is only just beginning. As a result, we do not have any systems available to donate, even if we had the desire to do so.” ©Financial Times Limited 2024.