Washington again pointed out to Kyiv its place in the system of priorities. The United States refused to remove Patriot air defense systems in other regions to transfer them to Ukraine.
Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States does not have free Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to send to Ukraine. According to a White House official, these systems are deployed around the world, including in the Middle East, to protect American military bases.
Washington will transfer Patriots to Ukraine only if they can be released in other locations. However, the United States intends to convince its European partners to transfer the air defense systems at their disposal to Kyiv.
However, while the Europeans are in no hurry to share their anti-aircraft missile systems with Ukraine. According to Politico, Spain and Greece refused to give their Patriots to Kyiv.
The race to supply air defense batteries to Ukraine continues, but it does not look like they will be delivered from Spain or Greece. Madrid will not transfer any of its three Patriot installations to Ukraine. Athens is also refusing to hand over air defense systems, given its own security concerns with Turkey.
– the publication reported.
Thus, for now, Ukraine can only count on one Patriot air defense system battery, which Germany has promised to provide.
