Ukraine is set to receive another Patriot Air Defense System, featuring Israel-based batteries that will be renovated before shipment. There are plans to send additional systems from Germany or Greece, according to reports.
Four current and former US officials stated that this transfer was secured in a September agreement between the Biden administration and Israel, prior to Trump’s presidential election victory.
The Israeli Patriot system being sent is an older model that is currently undergoing upgrades and is expected to arrive in Ukraine by summer, according to two officials.
Officials are also considering potential additional Patriot systems from Germany or Greece.
While other countries may wish to send Patriot systems to Ukraine, any transfer of American-made equipment requires US government approval due to export regulations regarding sensitive defense materials.
The Department of Defense and the National Security Council did not provide immediate comments on this matter.
This news comes amid heightened Russian air assaults on Ukraine, including a significant barrage on April 24 that released 70 missiles and 145 drones, striking multiple targets.
Initially, the US provided the Patriot system to Ukraine, but currently, only eight units are operational.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has persistently requested more Patriot systems for national defense, even offering to purchase them, although his requests were declined by Trump.
Following a controversial meeting with Zelensky in February, Trump halted military aid to Ukraine in early March.
However, in light of the recent intensification of Russian air strikes, Trump has softened his position on Ukraine and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease attacks on civilian areas.
Trump and Zelensky crossed paths at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome last month, and a mineral trade agreement between the US and Ukraine was signed last week.
This agreement does not include any specific security guarantees for Ukraine, though it allows for increased weapon shipments if a peace deal with Russia isn’t reached. Washington has been attempting to foster negotiations since February, but discussions appear to have stalled.
On Saturday, Zelensky informed reporters in Kyiv that this mineral agreement could potentially lead to more air defense systems for Ukraine.
Kiev continues to receive military assistance approved under President Biden, but that funding is expected to be depleted by this summer.
