When a missile hit Poland in mid-November, Germany offered the neighboring country Patriot anti-aircraft batteries. But Warsaw thinks more of their stationing in Ukraine – which also loudly demands it. Chancellor Scholz is not deterred by this.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has renewed the offer to station German Patriot anti-aircraft systems in Poland. “Our offer to the Polish government to protect our own country is still not off the table,” said Scholz. Scholz promised Ukraine further support of a different kind to ward off air attacks. “We have just launched new delivery options for the ‘cheetah’,” he said, without giving details. Germany has already made 30 anti-aircraft vehicles of the “Gepard” type available to Ukraine.
After a rocket hit Polish territory in mid-November, the German government offered the NATO partner Patriot anti-aircraft batteries to secure its airspace. However, Warsaw believes it makes more sense to station it on Ukrainian soil. On the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Bucharest, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: “Patriots and transformers are what Ukraine needs most.”
In addition to the “Gepard” tanks, Germany has already delivered a modern IRIS-T anti-aircraft system to Ukraine, which can protect an entire city. Scholz called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again on Tuesday. The chancellor said he was “very grateful” for the German arms deliveries. German anti-aircraft defenses have “very significant effects” on Ukraine. According to the government, Germany has also supported the country with around 56 million euros to repair destroyed energy infrastructure. Provide more than 350 generators.
The Ukrainian side had previously stated that the phone call was about, among other things, strengthening Ukraine’s missile defense system. Zelenskyj reported on Twitter that the implementation of an initiative to supply Ukrainian grain to poor countries was also discussed. In addition, the “Ukrainian peace formula” was discussed. This means a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory within the 1991 borders.
