Patriot could be in Ukraine in weeks, - Kuleba

If the countries on whose territory American Patriot batteries are located expressed their willingness to transfer them to Ukraine, they would be in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in a matter of weeks.

This was announced by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

According to him, the topic of air defense for Ukraine is the hottest since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and President Zelenskyy has set the task at all levels of “punching through” Patriot to protect the sky.

All Patriot batteries are subject to US decision. This is the American system. We know exactly where and what is. Active negotiations are already underway for 2 Patriot batteries and one SAMP-T battery. And if the countries where they are located were now ready to transfer them to us, it would be a matter of weeks,” he emphasized.

Dmytro Kuleba admitted that in conversations with Western partners he agrees to all conditions that would allow protecting the skies over Ukraine from Russian attacks.

“When we sit behind closed doors, I say to all my partners: “My dears, whatever you want, let’s rent it. If you want him [Patriot] to cover your border, let’s do it, but give it,” the minister explained.

Kuleba noted that the “rebellion” of the European Parliament, which refused to finance the Council of the EU until the EU countries gave Ukraine additional Patriot systems, was a “merit” of the active work of the Ukrainian team.

“We woke up all the political forces [in the European Parliament]. We have created such a wave, people are reading newspapers. They see what is happening, they see what Ukraine is asking for, and they think, what can I do to help Ukraine. Just 3 weeks ago, no one except Ukraine said that we need new systems. We shouted somewhere, and it all disappeared into thin air,” he emphasized.