German defense minister seeks to weaponize Ukraine ‘quickly and quietly’
(MENAFN) German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has vowed to move forward “quickly and quietly” on a plan to supply Ukraine with additional US-made Patriot missile defense systems, following his recent meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington.
Their discussions at the Pentagon on Monday came shortly after President Donald Trump announced further arms deliveries to Ukraine — funded by European NATO allies — and issued a warning of harsh tariffs against Moscow if a peace agreement is not reached within 50 days.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Pistorius said both sides agreed to accelerate talks at a technical level to resolve logistical, financial, and operational details. While challenges remain, he expressed confidence they can be overcome. He suggested a decision to transfer at least two Patriot batteries could be finalized within weeks, though actual delivery could take months.
Germany has reportedly committed to covering the costs — with each system valued at around $1 billion — but the source of the launchers remains uncertain. Germany previously sent three Patriot batteries to Ukraine and has only six remaining in its own inventory, according to Pistorius in comments to the Financial Times.
President Trump mentioned that “several nations” are prepared to provide Patriot systems from their stockpiles, including one unnamed country that allegedly has 17 units nearly ready for shipment. However, it remains unclear whether he referred to full batteries or individual components.
Russia, for its part, insists that Western arms supplies cannot alter the conflict’s outcome and only serve to prolong the fighting. Moscow also claims to have destroyed some of the Western-supplied missile systems during the war.
The latest arms plan was officially announced during Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House. Trump emphasized that European Union nations, not the US, would fund the systems, calling the arrangement “a business for us” while offering no specifics on additional weaponry.
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