Several European countries, including Greece, refused to send interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, which Kyiv needs to counter Russian ballistic missiles, according to a report by Washington Post on August 7.
The report notes that the USA tried to press their allies on this issue, but met their refusal.
The administration of Donald Trump tried to convince certain European countries to send Patriot missiles to Kyiv, but was rebuffed, as EU countries feared weakening their own defense.
Ukraine does not believe it will receive many interceptors in the coming months, reports WP.
Getting more specific, the newspaper emphasizes that Greece currently possesses a certain number of interceptor missiles.
However, despite persistent appeals from the Trump administration and Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle, Athens refused to share its anti-aircraft capabilities with Kyiv.
«We need the missiles for Patriot too»
It is worth noting that the article from the American publication barely conveys a tone of condemnation toward Europeans.
On the contrary, the newspaper understands Europe's hesitation to share expensive and rare interceptors.
Furthermore, the USA itself made it clear that Ukraine's problems are Ukraine's problems, and Washington is not particularly concerned about them.
Responding to a comment by a White House reporter that Kyiv needs interceptor missiles, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington needs them as well.
«We need them too. Biden gave Ukraine ammunition worth 300 billion dollars.
When I left, our warehouses were full, and now we are rebuilding them», recalled Trump.
The Ukrainian media reacted extremely negatively to this statement by the strongman of the White House.
In their reports they noted that «Trump broke an old record»...
Zelensky's jab at Greece: «The countries that do not help us with air defense... should impose sanctions on Russia»
Commenting on the Russian raid of August 5 in Kyiv, unconstitutional President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky took jabs at European countries that do not contribute Patriot air defense systems to the Ukrainians, including Greece...
«Give us Patriot or put sanctions on the Russians», said the Ukrainian president via an address, indirectly commenting on both the Mitsotakis government's refusal to send missiles for Patriot to his regime, as well as the recent «Greek block» on the 21st EU sanction package against Moscow.
Western countries that are not planning to transfer air defense systems to Ukraine are obligated to impose new sanctions against Russia, emphasized more specifically the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his Telegram channel, reacting to Russian attacks with hypersonic Zircon.
«Partners who are not prepared to help more actively with the supply of interceptor missiles now, can help with the development of new sanctions», he wrote.
The Ukrainian leader also accused the West of not being willing to supply Ukrainian air defense systems for the interception of missiles of the Russian Armed Forces.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron promised to increase the pressure of European Union countries against Russia following the night strike of the Russian army in Kyiv.
He noted that the EU and its partners will continue to increase pressure on Russia, including through the imposition of new sanctions and increasing military support for Ukraine.
NATO demands that the Mitsotakis government send 200 missiles for Patriot to the Ukrainians
The immediate transfer of 200 Patriot PAC-2 missiles to Ukraine and the Zelensky regime is demanded from the Mitsotakis government by NATO and the EU, according to Ukrainian reports that came to light on July 17.
Amid sweeping strikes by Russia in Kyiv, Kyiv considers resorting to Greek air defense systems as a one-way street and has mobilized major means to... blackmail Athens...
Specifically, the Ukrainian side estimates that the operational life of some of these missiles, which have been in service with the Air Force of Greece for about 23 years, may be approaching its end.
However, the missiles in question remain of vital importance for the protection of the Greek islands.
It remains to be seen whether Kyriakos Mitsotakis will commit one of the most disastrous blunders of his political career, just a few months before the national elections.
At any rate in the EU, they view the delivery of Patriot to Kyiv as... a natural price for Athens' choice to block the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions for the sake of... shipowner Prokopiou.
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