Voice of Ukraine

From: Politico BY JOSHUA POSANER

The Romanian government today promised to send a full Patriot air defense system to Ukraine to bolster its defenses — on the condition that the United States help cover the gap.

“Considering the significant deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine … Council members decided to donate a PATRIOT system to Ukraine,” the Romanian president’s office said in a statement.

However, the pledge comes on the condition that allies — and “especially the American strategic partner” — agree to provide an alternative “temporary solution.”

“This crucial contribution will bolster our air shield and help us better protect our people and critical infrastructure from Russian air terror,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In May, the country’s President Klaus Iohannis said following a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden that the issue of a Patriot pledge for Ukraine had been part of talks at the White House.

“I must discuss it in the Supreme Defense Council to see what we can offer and what we can get in return, because it is unacceptable to leave Romania without air defenses,” Iohannis said at the time.

While there are European-made alternatives to Patriot air defense systems, such as the SAMP/T, NASAMS, HAWK, IRIS-T or S-300 platforms, the U.S.-developed Patriots are considered the most effective against Russia’s weapons.

So far, Germany has promised to deliverthree of its own platforms to Ukraine, with senior officials expressing frustration at the absence of further donations from other countries. The Netherlands has offered a series of components to help piece together another standalone Patriot battery.

A number of European countries have Patriot systems on order, including Switzerland and Sweden.

However, the U.S. is pausing the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles to other nations so it can fast-track orders for Ukraine, the FT reported.