The United States, Israel and Ukraine are negotiating to provide Kiev with eight of the country’s air defense systems currently owned and operated by Israel. Financial TimesCiting several anonymous sources familiar to the debates.
Ukraine can get 8 Patriot settings on a fire photo Shutterstock
According to the cited source, the missile batteries will probably be transferred from Israel to the US and then from the US to Ukraine.
The US and Ukrainian governments declined to comment on the information.
Israel wants to phase out the Patriot batteries anyway
In April, Israel announced plans to phase out the Patriot batteries in question, which are used in the ongoing war against Hamas and amid missile and drone attacks by Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, and replace them with new systems.
Israel primarily relies on its Iron Dome system for short-range interceptions.
Ukraine has expressed its support for Israel in its war against Hamas, while repeatedly demanding that Israel provide air defense systems — demands that Israel has so far rejected.
Although Israel has expressed support for Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022, it has been careful not to alienate Russia, which controls much of Syrian airspace and currently allows Israel to operate against Iranian proxies.
The war in Ukraine has pushed the Russian government closer to Iran, and US officials have reportedly tried to convince Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the countries’ new accord should encourage Israel to boldly support Ukraine’s war effort.
Giving Ukraine a patriot is a priority for the US
The White House announced last week that it would again prioritize the delivery of newly manufactured Patriot missiles, redirecting new shipments to Ukraine from other countries.
The White House did not say which countries would be affected by the diversions, but noted that they do not apply to Israel or Taiwan.
Despite the talks, Israel’s patriot organizations remain active today, the FT noted, amid concerns that ongoing clashes with the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon could escalate into a full-scale war.
Hezbollah, which has about 150,000 rockets that can be used against Israel, has attacked Israeli communities and military positions along the border almost every day since the terrorists occupied southern Israel on October 7 last year, when a Hamas attack killed nearly 1,200 people. and 251 hostages.
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