Kallas Calls For Handing Over To Ukraine Interceptors Nearing Expiration

EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas has called for European member states to transfer interceptor missiles to Ukraine, especially those whose operational lifespan is nearing its end. This suggestion was made prior to an informal gathering of EU defense ministers in Wicklow, Ireland. According to Kallas, Russia is escalating its aggression against Ukraine in an attempt to cause as much damage as possible to the Ukrainian people.

However, the Ukrainian people are demonstrating resilience, and Kallas emphasized the importance of supporting them. One of the primary concerns, according to Kallas, is air defense, and she stressed that Ukraine is currently lacking interceptor missiles. Kallas noted that some countries possess interceptor missiles whose storage life is about to end, and she expressed her hope that these weapons would be handed over to Ukraine to aid in protecting its citizens.

Kallas also mentioned that she is reaching out to countries outside the European Union to acquire additional interceptor missiles to safeguard the Ukrainian civilian population. However, she acknowledged that obtaining these weapons is a challenging task. Concurrently, efforts are being made to jointly manufacture European interceptor missiles in partnership with Ukraine.

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen revealed that the Netherlands, which possesses Patriot air defense systems and interceptors, has provided Ukraine with all it can spare from its stockpile. Notably, American military forces stationed in Europe are reportedly facing a critical shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, primarily due to the ongoing war against Iran.