**US Refuses to Share Its 60-Patriot System Arsenal with Ukraine**
The United States has a significant number of Patriot air defense systems, totaling over 60 batteries. However, despite Ukraine’s request for these advanced systems, the US has refused to share them. According to Defense Express, this decision is part of the US’s isolationist policy.
**Why Can’t Ukraine Get the Patriots?**
The US has the largest number of Patriot air defense systems among all NATO members. These systems are American-made and considered essential for protecting against missile attacks. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during Senate hearings that Washington lacks the capacity to transfer additional systems to Ukraine. Instead, he suggested that NATO allies in Europe find ways to support Ukraine.
**Shifting Priorities**
The US has been shifting its priorities in defense policy. In early April, it decided to temporarily withdraw Patriot batteries from Korea and redeploy them to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. This move demonstrates that the US is struggling to balance its support for partners against multiple threats.
**Europe’s Security Conundrum**
In Europe, most countries have already transferred their Patriot systems or are unable to do so due to various constraints. The Netherlands, for example, was only able to transfer part of its system. Currently, Greece is being considered as a potential donor, but even it has limited capabilities against ballistic missiles.
**A New Security Paradigm**
The US policy, outlined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in February, suggests that Europe’s security problems are solely the responsibility of European countries. The US is prioritizing its forces in the Indo-Pacific region and selling missiles to European countries for profit. This shift has created a new security paradigm where Europe must find its own answers to challenges posed by war and aggression.
**No Concern Over Russian Buildup**
US President Donald Trump does not see a threat in Russia’s military buildup near Finland, which raises concerns about the US’s commitment to NATO’s collective defense principle. The situation further emphasizes that Europe will need to take charge of its security and find solutions independently.
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