EU ministers failed to pledge Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine at key meeting on Monday, The Guardian reports, UNN writes.
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As indicated, European ministers said on Monday that they are urgently looking for ways to provide more air defense for Ukraine, but they did not make specific promises on Patriot systems, as reported by Reuters.
At a meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign and defense ministers said that the U.S. House of Representatives' vote to approve a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine over the weekend should not lead to complacency on their part.
EU ministers say Europe cannot relax its support for Ukraine after approval of US aid22.04.24, 13:59
As Russia has stepped up its air attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and cities, "EU governments are under pressure to provide Kyiv with more defense systems.
"But countries with U.S.-made Patriot systems, which Ukraine already uses and highly values for their ability to shoot down fast-moving ballistic missiles, showed evasiveness on Monday," the publication says.
Since Ukraine launched a campaign to increase the number of Patriots in recent weeks, Germany has been the only EU country to pledge an additional battery.
Berlin is also leading a campaign to build up Ukraine's air defense with donations of equipment and financial contributions from other countries.
Other European countries, including Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Sweden, also have Patriot systems.
Officials say it is difficult for countries to part with Patriot systems because they are an integral part of national defense.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson said that Stockholm has already agreed to provide Ukraine with air defense equipment, including the RBS 70 man-portable system.
Asked whether Sweden would also provide Patriot systems, he said: "I don't rule out that possibility, but right now we are focused on the financial contribution and also maybe (more) on RBS 70 because that could ease some of the pressure on Patriot.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said: "We are well aware of Ukraine's need for air defense, especially the Patriot system, and Spain has always done everything it could.
He added: "Since this is a real war, I'm not really in favor of disclosing too much about what we're giving, when and where it's coming from.