Germany will deliver urgently needed Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday, as Kiev struggles to defend itself against a wave of Russian attacks.
Speaking at a video conference of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Pistorius said Russian intimidation attempts and hybrid attacks would not succeed against Ukraine, Germany nor other partners.
"Quite the opposite: Russia's reckless and irresponsible behaviour strengthens our resolve to defend peace and freedom in Europe," Pistorius said, days after the German government held Russia responsible for the failed drone attack in Leipzig.
Pistorius said he has decided to deliver the urgently needed PAC-2 interceptor missiles from Germany's own stocks to Ukraine, while also increasing deliveries of air-to-air missiles.
Kiev is also ordering several thousand additional Iris-T guided missiles from Germany, to be financed through the EU-Ukraine defence loan.
The production volume of the missiles could be increased by setting up an additional production line, he said. The aim of the aid is to create a shield against Russian airstrikes.
In addition, Germany will finance several tens of thousands of rounds of long-range artillery ammunition. This ammunition would be procured in cooperation with Britain and delivered to Ukraine, Pistorius said.