Providing Ukraine with Patriot missile system does not require approval of all NATO countries – Stoltenberg
The German government has confirmed that it is in talks with allies after Poland asked to send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.
Berlin initially offered the systems to Poland to protect its airspace after a missile flew in from Ukraine last week, killing two people.
But Poland rejected the offer to Germany, saying it would be better to send the Patriot systems to Ukraine.
– We are discussing with our allies how to respond to the Polish proposal, – the representative of the German government said.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said that the use of NATO systems outside its territory should be agreed by all member states.
– These Patriots are part of NATO’s integrated air defence, meaning they are designed for NATO territory. If they are used outside the NATO area, it must be agreed in advance with NATO and allies,” the minister said.
But today, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made it clear that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members will not block the decision, saying it is up to individual countries.
– From a military point of view, it would be better if they [air defense systems] were located in Ukraine to also protect Polish territory. Then they would protect both Ukraine and Poland as effectively as possible,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said earlier.
As a reminder, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak asked Germany to transfer the Patriot missile defense systems offered by Poland to Ukraine.
