World · Europe · 23 hrs ago
Germany says it cannot send Ukraine more Patriot systems for now
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says Berlin cannot send more Patriot systems to Ukraine for now.
Germany has already supplied several systems and many missiles, but says it cannot replace any further transfers soon without creating gaps in its own defenses.
Ukraine relies on air defenses to protect against Russian attacks, including strikes on energy infrastructure, and faces a shortage of interceptors ahead of winter.
Pistorius urged other countries to increase their support, saying Germany had already contributed substantially.
The issue is set to be discussed at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in mid-November.
Ukraine and Germany have also discussed speeding up delivery of German-made PAC-2 missiles under a contract to buy them over the next two years.
Faster deliveries are sought to help protect Ukraine from Russian attacks.
Germany cannot provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems for now, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
Pistorius said further transfers could create gaps in Germany’s own defenses because donated systems cannot be replaced soon.
Germany has already delivered several Patriot systems and many missiles to Ukraine.
He urged other countries to increase their contributions to Ukraine’s air defenses, with the issue set for discussion in mid-November.
Ukraine faces continued Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure and a shortage of air defense interceptors ahead of winter.
- Who
- Germany, represented by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, says it cannot send more Patriot systems to Ukraine for now.
- What
- Germany says further transfers could leave gaps in its own defenses because the systems cannot be replaced soon.
- When
- Pistorius made the remarks in an interview reported on Nov. 7, 2026.
- Where
- The remarks were made in an interview with Berliner Morgenpost.
- Why
- Germany says it has exhausted its capacity to supply more systems without creating gaps in its own defenses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Pistorius in Berlin to discuss speeding up deliveries of German-made PAC-2 missiles.
Pistorius said Germany could not provide Ukraine with more Patriot systems for the time being.
The issue is due to be discussed at the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
- German defense minister
- Boris Pistorius
- Systems already delivered
- Several Patriot systems
- Missiles already delivered
- A large number
- Next discussion
- Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in mid-November
- Ukraine's stated need
- More air defense interceptors ahead of winter
3 sources
What people are saying
Anything we give now cannot be replaced for the time being, which would create gaps (in our defenses) that we cannot responsibly accept.
We cannot do more right now.