Patriot missiles flow to Ukraine; Europe funds aid
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that deliveries of Patriot air defense missile systems promised to Ukraine are already underway. He stated on Tuesday, July 15, that the missiles are already departing from Germany, which will receive replacements for the equipment sent, according to DW.
“They are already being sent. They're coming from Germany, and Germany is replacing them. In all cases, the U.S. is receiving full payment,” Trump said, responding to journalists’ questions at Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday, July 15.
Previously, Trump had stated that Patriot system batteries and missiles would arrive in Ukraine “very soon, in a few days.” He also mentioned a figure of 17 Patriots ready for shipment, without specifying what exactly this referred to. The deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service, Vadym Skibitsky, reacted by saying it was unclear what volume was being discussed. “We don’t know for sure,” he commented. “17 is a huge number if we're talking about batteries. If it's about launchers, then it’s possible.”
On July 14, Trump made an “important statement,” threatening Moscow with secondary sanctions—specifically, 100% customs tariffs—if a ceasefire in Ukraine was not concluded within the next 50 days. Concurrently, he promised Ukraine new arms deliveries, to be financed by European countries.
Germany, Sweden, and the UK ready to purchase Patriot systems for Ukraine
Germany and Sweden have already joined the project, and Finland has expressed interest but has not yet made a final decision. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that other countries have also expressed their willingness to participate, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada.
According to Axios, the first tranche of U.S. arms for Ukraine will cost $10 billion and will include missiles, artillery shells, and Patriot systems. The Washington Post, citing its own sources, writes that the U.S. is also considering delivering Tomahawk cruise missiles—some versions of which can hit targets up to 5,500 km away. Military Watch Magazine mentions that, in the future, Ukraine could also receive other types of high-precision weaponry, including JASSM missiles, with a range of 370 to 1,800 km.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
