Kallas urges EU states to release Patriot missiles from stockpiles for Ukraine

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has urged all EU member states with Patriot interceptor missiles in reserve to donate them to Ukraine, according to a briefing on August 13 by European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper. Kallas is actively liaising with EU governments to expedite and amplify munitions deliveries to Kyiv. Strengthening Ukraine's air defenses is a top priority for Brussels.

Apart from direct transfers from national reserves, the EU is accelerating collective arms procurement under the SAFE program, which encompasses Ukraine as well. However, some European nations have hesitated to supply Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles due to concerns it might weaken their own defenses, as reported by The Washington Post on August 5.

Following the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, several European countries initially resisted sharing missiles with Ukraine, citing similar worries. On August 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an agreement with the United States for monthly deliveries of Patriot missiles, though the quantities agreed upon would fall short of Ukraine's needs.

Ukraine is also negotiating with European partners, including Poland and Germany, as well as Scandinavian nations, for more interceptor missiles. President Zelenskyy recently provided specific figures, stating that Ukraine requires at least 5% of the U.S. interceptor missile stockpile to survive the winter, while 10% would allow it to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.