Kuleba proposes using Polish Patriot missiles to defend Ukraine’s border
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Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is exploring the possibility of utilizing Patriot missile systems stationed in Poland to safeguard the western Ukrainian border, he revealed in an April 14 interview with TSN.Week.
"Everything is on the table, but we are considering various approaches," Kuleba stated. "Effectively, this could also serve to protect NATO member states from Russian missiles or drones encroaching on their territories."
The minister emphasized that Ukraine is proposing several strategies to its allies to bolster its air defense capabilities. During confidential discussions, Kuleba urges his counterparts to be flexible. "Behind closed doors, I say to all our partners: dear friends, anything is possible," he remarked.
“If you want to lease it, let's lease it, if you want it to cover your border, let it cover your border, but give it to us.”
Kuleba also noted that Kyiv is currently in active negotiations with its allies to supply two Patriot batteries and one Samp-T.
New air defense systems for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 28 that Ukraine had received Patriot systems not from the United States but from partner countries, stressing that the money allocated for the Patriot systems never came to Ukraine directly. The transfer of these air defense systems was handled by the European Union.
The President also said on March 30 that Ukraine had submitted requests for air defense systems to every country that possesses them.
Minister Kuleba is working to get seven Patriot air defense batteries as soon as possible.
Kuleba’s team has identified more than 100 spare Patriots as some neighboring countries use more than one battery to protect a port or airfield.
Kuleba said on April 3 that the partners do not want to give Ukraine "five or seven" Patriots, although they have more than 100.
Zelenskyy said on April 6 that 25 Patriot systems or their equivalents are needed to fully protect Ukraine's airspace from Russian attacks.
Kuleba said on April 12 that if Ukraine had a sufficient number of Patriot systems, the destruction of the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant near Kyiv by Russia would not have happened.
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