Merz: Germany Ready to Buy Patriots For Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference today, repeated his offer for Germany to purchase US-made Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.

Merz had reportedly asked US President Donald Trump last week for Patriot systems for Ukraine, after the Pentagon unexpectedly announced a freeze in the shipment of Patriot and other essential ammo for Ukraine on July 1, citing low stockpiles.

“This decision was made to put America’s national security first, following a Defense Department review of global military assistance,” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly on July 1.

“We are also prepared to purchase additional Patriot systems from the US to make them available to Ukraine,” said the Chancellor in comments reported by DW. “The Americans need some of them themselves, but they also have a lot of them.”

The US has not publicly responded to Merz’s appeal for more Patriot systems for Ukraine.

This is not the first request for additional air defense for Kyiv. In April, Zelensky offered to purchase 10 additional Patriot systems from the US, but has heard no response from Trump.

“Ukraine is ready to purchase at least 10 systems. I told President [Donald] Trump about this minimum during our phone conversation. He told me that America would work on it. So far, I have no other information,” Zelensky said in April.

Other Topics of Interest

Romania Wants to Boost Air Defence After Drone Strike Blamed on Russia

Romania’s foreign minister said the country must strengthen air defence with NATO support after a drone strike near its Ukraine border injured two people. While not confirming intent, she blamed Russia for responsibility. Bucharest is seeking short-term NATO help and joint anti-drone cooperation with Kyiv amid repeated drone incursions.

To date, Ukraine has received three Patriot batteries from the US and three from Europe, but the systems are expensive and in high demand by US allies in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

A full Patriot mobile battery includes a command center, a radar station, and launchers and costs over $1 billion, with each missile costing approximately $4 million. The Patriot system can intercept aircraft, ballistic, and cruise missiles and covers an area of around 80 kilometers (50 miles).

Trump has the authority to send Patriot systems to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, approved by his predecessor, Joe Biden, but has not approved the use of these funds and has not requested additional funds for Ukraine from the US Congress.

While Germany waits for a response from the US on additional Patriots, Ukraine is facing record drone attacks in its cities.