EU leaders are reportedly pressing Greece and Spain to send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine urging the two European nations to take this step, arguing Kiev is in greater need than the two EU member-states, according to a report by the Financial Times.
According to the report, Ukraine submitted an urgent plea to Western allies for more military equipment, including the US-made Patriot anti-aircraft system, as Russia intensified its aerial and missile campaign against the country’s cities and energy infrastructure, during an EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg
Germany has reportedly already agreed to send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, thus putting even more pressure on Greece and Spain to follow their lead.
Athens reacted by stressing it had already demonstrated its support to Ukraine in practice, adding that no systems would be transferred without a replacement, ensuring Greek defense remains unaffected. “So far, we have shown our support to Ukraine in practice, however, no action will be taken that will jeopardize the air defense of our country,” government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis clarified.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis, who participated in the Luxembourg summit, reiterated that the EU had agreed that any joint financing of armaments would not involve material originating from third-country industries that threaten the security of member states.
Diplomatic sources acknowledge the pressure and efforts to create a favorable climate of sending additional assistance to Ukraine which includes the anti-aircraft systems. They note that Germany’s move is seen as an example for others, with Paris and Berlin leading the effort to strengthen Kiev with anti-aircraft systems.
