**US Shifts Patriot Air Defense Systems to Ukraine, Prioritizing Kyiv’s Defense**
The United States has decided to send its next Patriot air defense system to Germany rather than Switzerland. This move is aimed at speeding up Berlin’s promised delivery of two Patriot batteries to Ukraine. The decision was made by the US State Department, which has prioritized Ukraine in recent months.
**US Delays Deliveries to Switzerland**
The Swiss Defense Ministry had announced earlier this week that deliveries of U.S. Patriots would be delayed due to the US State Department’s decision to prioritize Ukraine. This delay is a result of the increased demand for air defense systems by Ukraine, which has been under intense aerial attacks by Russia.
**Germany Steps Up**
Washington will now deliver the next Patriot system off the production line to Germany, which will then ship two Patriots from its own arsenal to Kyiv. This move marks the first time the Pentagon has facilitated weapons deliveries to Ukraine since US President Donald Trump announced additional military aid for the country.
**NATO-Backed Initiative**
The Trump administration plans to negotiate individual deals with NATO members on weapons purchases for Ukraine. These deals will include offensive and defensive weapons that countries will provide to Ukraine and then repurchase from Washington. Several NATO member states, including Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, Canada, and Finland, have already committed to supporting this initiative.
**Desperate Need in Ukraine**
Ukraine’s need for US-made Patriot batteries and ammunition has become desperate as Russia has escalated its campaign of aerial terror against cities across the country. Civilian casualties have mounted as large-scale drone and missile attacks overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses night after night.
**US Ambassador: “Moving with Haste”**
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said on July 17 that Washington is “moving with haste” to facilitate weapons shipments to Ukraine under Trump’s new plan.
This article was written by a team of experienced journalists and experts at The Kyiv Independent. We are committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and timely reporting on the conflict in Ukraine and other global news stories. Our journalism relies solely on readers like you to fund our operations. Consider joining our community today!
