BRUSSELS — Ukraine’s allies have to do a much better job of shipping the air defense systems they’ve promised to help keep skies clear of Russian attacks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in Brussels on Thursday.
“Good progress has been made and announcements were made, but again, some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet,” Kuleba said, speaking alongside the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Ukraine is operating about five Patriot systems — two supplied by the U.S. and three by Germany. However, the country is close-mouthed about what is actually on the ground for security reasons.
But countries have pledged more. The Dutch government recently said that it had cobbled together components from allies to complete a platform for Ukraine, while Romania said it would ship a unit as long the system was back-filled. No announcement has so far been made on a replacement for the Romanian system.
Other air defense systems have also been promised.
Washington has made no further pledges but has prioritized air defense missile deliveries to Ukraine over other countries.
Numerous other countries, such as Spain, have promised Patriot interceptor missiles — the rockets that the systems fire to bring down drones, aircraft and missiles.
Kyiv is anxious for those pledges to be carried out.
“We are, as you are, entering a school year, and we have to protect our cities. We have to protect our children. So I will urge all partners who have made their pledges to finally deliver these systems,” Kuleba said, without naming the countries responsible for the delays.
He blamed red tape for delays in getting the pledged systems to Ukraine.
“Some complain [about] bureaucracy … some argue that there are delicate internal moments in their politics such as elections. There is always an explanation,” he complained. “We pay for all these delays with damage and the loss of lives.”
The systems that have been pledged “are there, they are ready for delivery. What is lacking is just the final go, the green light to do it,” he said. “Whatever the reasons are, it’s time to do it.”
While Patriots are considered the best ground-based air defense system to counter incoming ballistic missiles, numerous other platforms exist. France and Italy have sent a SAMP/T system and promised another, while Norwegian NASAMS and German-made IRIS-T platforms are also being used in Ukraine.
The foreign minister also called on allies to lift restrictions on the use of long-range missiles “to allow us to use them in the territory of Russia against … legitimate military targets.” That’s part of a broader transatlantic push by Kyiv to loosen targeting restrictions.
Frustrated at those rules, Kyiv is developing its own capabilities. This month, Ukraine announced the successful launch of both a locally made ballistic missile and a rocket-powered drone.
Kuleba pointed out that his country’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region means that the targeting discussion is taking place “in a completely different environment compared to the pre-summer season.” Kyiv argues that its attack on Russia has produced no unexpected response from Moscow, meaning Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s red lines are likely just a chimera.
Borrell also called on countries to stump up the air defense systems they’ve promised.
“I understand the concerns of Minister Kuleba about the delay: it’s very easy to promise, it’s a little bit more difficult to deliver,” he said.
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