Washington currently does not plan to transfer Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin noted that this also applies to systems located in Poland.
Washington does not plan to transfer new air defense systems to Ukraine in the near future, including those located in Poland. However, the U.S. is working on this issue with its allies. This was stated by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The U.S. Opposes Transferring Patriots from Poland to Ukraine
Lloyd Austin participated in meetings of NATO defense ministers, the NATO-Ukraine Commission, and the Ramstein coalition taking place today in Brussels.
“Today, I have no announcements regarding the Patriot air defense systems, but I can tell you that I continue to work on this. I am in constant contact with my Ukrainian colleague, and we will do everything possible to ensure they have the capabilities they need, and we must get them as soon as possible,” said the head of the Pentagon.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense emphasized that air defense remains a priority. However, Washington will not transfer Patriot batteries located on Polish territory. Austin added that the American side continues to work with allies to provide the necessary systems.
Patriot Systems Protect Polish Airspace
Earlier, Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk stated that Poland would not transfer American Patriot air defense systems stationed on its territory to Ukraine.
“Poland has not agreed to transfer the Polish battery. Polish Patriots protect Polish airspace, and this will not change,” wrote the Polish official.
Head of the National Security Bureau of Poland Jacek Siewiera also stated that the country would not transfer American air defense systems to Ukraine. He also plans to discuss this with Jake Sullivan, as the information published by NYT allegedly “raises concerns.”
“We are a country through which most military aid passes, where the airspace has been violated by cruise missiles three times in the last two years, costing the lives of two citizens, a country that is not only crucial for supplying Ukraine but also for the entire deterrence system and preparing possible defense on the eastern flank,” Jacek said.
NYT Journalists Claimed that Ukraine Will Receive the System from Poland
On Tuesday, June 12, NYT journalists claimed that Joe Biden approved the deployment of another Patriot air defense system in Ukraine. It is allegedly supposed to be moved from Poland.
“Mr. Biden’s decision was made last week, according to officials, following a series of high-level meetings and internal debates on how to meet Ukraine’s urgent need for enhanced air defense without compromising U.S. combat readiness,” the media wrote.
As journalists noted, the plan was to transfer the system that guarded the rotational U.S. forces.
