European Union countries should send Ukraine their air defense systems, which are "in barracks just in case," according to EU High Representative Josep Borrell before the meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers on the Italian island of Capri.
"We cannot only rely on the US. We have to take our (own) responsibility and stop saying, 'Oh, the U.S. will do'. We have Patriots, we have anti-missile systems. We have to take them (out) from our barracks where they are just in case and send them to Ukraine where the war is raging," Borrell says.
He expresses confidence that the EU will eventually send additional air defense systems to Ukraine, but "we have to be done quickly."
Air defense for Ukraine
Ukraine's need for air defense has become more acute after the resumption of Russian strikes on energy facilities.
Germany promised to help Ukraine find air defense systems. In particular, it was decided to transfer an additional Patriot system.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously stated that 25 Patriot systems are needed to completely block the Ukrainian sky from Russian drones and missiles.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine has already found 100 free Patriot systems in the world but first wants to get 7 of them.
It is worth noting that Ukraine's priority is not only Patriot but also Samp-T systems, which are also capable of shooting down ballistic missiles.
Currently, Ukraine is negotiating to receive two Patriot batteries and one Samp-T battery.
Yesterday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO member states have enough air defense systems to provide Ukraine with to protect it from Russian attacks.
Meanwhile, Germany has sent letters to dozens of countries urging them to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.