Germany in talks to buy Patriot systems for Ukraine as US pauses shipment

Germany is in “intensive talks” to purchase Patriot air defence missile systems for Ukraine to help counter Russia’s escalating attacks, a government spokesperson said on July 4. The discussions come after the United States paused shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine, including 30 Patriot missiles, due to low stockpiles.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz initiated a phone call with US President Donald Trump on July 3 to promote arms deliveries to Ukraine, particularly focusing on the Patriot systems, the spokesperson told Reuters, as Caliber.Az quotes.

“There are various ways to fill this Patriot gap,” the spokesperson said, explaining that one option being considered is buying the missile batteries directly in the United States and sending them to Kyiv.

Germany has already sent three US-made Patriot systems from its military stocks to Ukraine.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius last month launched an initiative within the Ramstein group—a coalition of around 50 nations—to secure more of these systems. A defence ministry spokesperson confirmed Pistorius would visit Washington later this month to discuss his initiative and production capacities.

“Of course these issues will also be on the agenda,” the spokesperson added.

The pause on US shipments has raised concerns in Kyiv, as Ukraine increasingly depends on these systems to destroy fast-moving ballistic missiles amid intensified Russian strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke to Trump on July 3 to discuss air defence weapons and ongoing Russian attacks.

Russia launched the largest drone attack of the war on Kyiv hours after Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, injuring at least 23 people.

As Ukraine’s second largest donor after the US, Germany has sought to take a more active leadership role in supporting Kyiv amid uncertainties over continued US military aid under Trump. A senior German military official noted that while Europe could sustain Ukraine’s resistance without US military support, “the challenges would be immense.”

Germany has provided a total of 38 billion euros ($43 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, including funding planned for upcoming years, according to the defence ministry.

Separately, Bloomberg News reported on July 4 that Germany is preparing a 25-billion-euro tank order to strengthen its NATO brigades, though the defence ministry had no immediate comment.

By Sabina Mammadli