European countries are struggling to provide Ukraine with enough Patriot interceptors as Kyiv prepares for an expected Russian winter assault, with US supplies strained and new production unlikely to arrive before the attacks begin, Politico reported.
According to Politico on Tuesday, Ukraine is seeking hundreds of interceptors for its ballistic missile defenses, but several of its leading European supporters say they have limited stocks available, while also needing to protect their own territory and meet NATO commitments.
“We are literally fighting for every missile,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
Ukraine relies heavily on US-made Patriot systems to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, one of the few weapons in its arsenal capable of countering the threat.
In July, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted just 29 of 195 Russian ballistic missiles, while another 40 reportedly failed to reach their targets, according to Ukraine’s defense ministry.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Russia was firing more missiles at Ukraine each week than its partners were providing over several months.
Ukraine is also developing the domestically produced Freyja interceptor, but the system still requires investment, engineering work, and testing before it can provide a significant alternative to Patriot.
Most PAC-3 Patriot interceptors are manufactured in the US, making Washington central to Ukraine’s efforts to replenish its stocks.
US President Donald Trump previously raised hopes that Ukraine could eventually produce Patriot interceptors under license. But US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said a long-term production agreement would not be completed before winter, with manufacturing taking even longer.
Trump subsequently walked back the proposal.
“We have not agreed to that. We’re talking about it. But it’s a hard thing to give away, that kind of technology,” Trump said last week.
The situation has been further complicated by the war in Iran, which has strained US missile stocks as Washington works to replenish its own supplies.
Trump has also pushed back against calls for additional Patriot missiles for Ukraine.
“We want missiles too,” he said.
Germany has already transferred Patriot systems and missiles to Ukraine but is now facing pressure to preserve enough equipment to defend its own territory and fulfill NATO commitments.
“We are really reaching our limits here,” German Brig. Gen. Jürgen Schrödl said. “We also have to ensure our own protection.”
Norway’s Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said European countries need to contribute more but acknowledged that the current effort is difficult to sustain.
“I think it’s not sustainable for Europe in the long run,” Sandvik told Politico. “All the European countries have to step up.”
Poland, Spain, and Greece are now among the countries being pressed to examine whether they can provide additional Patriot interceptors.
Poland confirmed in July that it had transferred several PAC-3 interceptors following requests from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and senior US commanders. Polish outlet Defence24 reported that only five missiles were transferred.
Greece has not announced any Patriot transfers to Ukraine, although Greek media reported in July that Kyiv had requested as many as 200 older PAC-2 interceptors from Athens.
Spain has previously confirmed sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine but has not disclosed how many or which variants were transferred.
Both countries are now facing questions over whether they can provide additional interceptors without weakening their own defenses.
Countries closer to Russia are particularly reluctant to give up existing Patriot stocks, with their militaries already considering air defenses insufficient for national requirements, according to a European diplomat cited by Politico.
Ukraine continues to negotiate with European allies to find additional interceptors.
Fedorov recalled working with Rutte and European defense ministers to identify missiles that could be transferred to Ukraine.
Germany previously offered to provide additional interceptors if other European countries collectively contributed more.
But Ukrainian officials say the shortage remains severe.
“The American administration could have helped, but they don’t do this. And as the result it’s been hard with everyone else,” a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the talks told Politico.
With Russia expected to intensify its attacks during winter and demand for Patriot interceptors rising elsewhere, Ukraine faces an increasingly narrow window to replenish its defenses before the next major wave of Russian missile strikes.