Germany has run out of its own air defense missiles and can no longer transfer them directly to Ukraine from national reserves, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk, as reported by Suspilne on 17 February.
Speaking after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine is running low on interceptor missiles, Wadephul said part of the delay in guaranteed European deliveries is due to depleted German stocks.
“We simply don’t have any left,” Wadephul said. He added that the remaining surface-to-air missiles, including those for US-made Patriot systems, are not available for direct transfer from German warehouses.
New production going straight to Ukraine
According to Wadephul, newly produced missiles are being sent straight to Ukraine through a mechanism financed by European partners, primarily Germany. He said Berlin has repeatedly strengthened Ukraine’s air defense and has provided everything it could from its own reserves.
Wadephul calls on Europe to step up
The minister stressed that Germany continues to finance a large share of the assistance Ukraine receives, arguing that Kyiv’s defense contributes to Europe’s security. At the same time, he called on other European countries to step up support for Ukraine’s air defense.
Wadephul said additional contributions from European partners are urgently needed as Russia continues large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
