Washington
The US, Israel and Ukraine are in discussion to provide Kyiv with up to eight Patriot air defence systems, improving its capability to counter near-daily Russian air strikes.
However, nothing yet has been finalised, but the agreement would likely involve the prized Patriot systems being sent first from Israel to the US before being sent to Ukraine.
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The details of the deal, which could signify a shift in Israel’s relations with Moscow, have been discussed among ministers and senior officials from the three countries, according to five individuals briefed on the negotiations.
In April, Israel said that it would begin retiring its eight Patriot batteries, which date back more than 30 years, and replace them with more advanced systems.
However, the batteries, being used in Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas, have not yet been discontinued due to concerns that tensions with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group could erupt into a full-blown war.
The missile transfer would represent a change in Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. Ukraine currently has at least four Patriot systems, supplied by both the US and Germany.
Facing a barrage of Russian missiles, Ukraine has repeatedly pleaded with Western nations, especially the US, for advanced air defence systems. In response, the United States recently prioritised sending Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, putting deliveries to other countries on hold.
Notably, Washington provides Israel with about $3.8bn annually in military support, and by April had released an additional $14bn in emergency funds for its ally since the war with Hamas broke out.
“It would be fortuitous if these older Patriot missiles were put to good use in another theatre before they aged out,” said Tom Karako, head of the missile defence project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank in Washington.
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Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba had held talks with his US counterpart Antony Blinken in recent weeks regarding the Patriot missiles deliveries.
“Ukraine continues to work with various countries around the world on obtaining additional Patriot systems,” Kuleba told the Financial Times, though he did not confirm the talks.
“We once again urge all countries that have such systems to provide them to Ukraine,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)