Germany starts hunt for more air defences as Zelensky pleads for Patriots

BRUSSELS – Germany launched a fresh bid on June 4 to chase down more air defence systems for Ukraine, which in past weeks has suffered some of the heaviest Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Berlin aims to potentially surpass the sum of €1 billion (S$1.47 billion), which it collected with a similar initiative in 2024, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters in Brussels.

He was speaking before a meeting of the Ramstein group of some 50 nations set up by the US to coordinate military aid. It has been co-chaired by Germany and Britain since Washington decided to no longer lead the group.

Washington was represented by its Nato ambassador, Mr Matthew Whitaker, with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth expected to join a day later for a meeting with his Nato counterparts.

Addressing the gathering at Nato’s Brussels headquarters online, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky repeated his calls for more air defences to protect Ukrainians, in particular for Patriot or similar systems.

“The stronger our air defence is, the less value (Russian President Vladimir) Putin sees in attacking our cities and villages, so please let’s continue strengthening our air shield,” he said.

“This is the most effective way to force Russia to stop its missile strikes and terror,” he added.

British Defence Secretary John Healey said Moscow was routinely firing more than 300 drones a day into Ukraine, a rate of fire that could be sustained throughout 2025.

“President Putin continues to prove he’s not for peace, he remains set on death, destruction and destabilisation,” he said.

Mr Pistorius said Berlin had asked the US and other allies to donate more Patriots or similar air defences.

“We have also offered, on a case-by-case basis, to look into paying for such systems that could be freed up. We cannot wait for industrial deliveries, this simply takes too long,” he said. REUTERS