Berlin has already “done a disproportionate amount” for Kiev’s air defenses, Boris Pistorius said
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that Germany is unable to provide Ukraine with any additional US-made Patriot air defense systems from its stockpile. Berlin has already done more than its fair share to support Kyiv, he told a press conference on Monday.
Since the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict in February 2022, Germany has been the country’s second largest arms supplier, surpassed only by the US. It allocated almost 20 billion euros ($23 billion) in military aid to Kyiv between January 2022 and October 2025, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
According to Pistorius, the nation’s capabilities have reached their limit and cannot support any further deployments of the air defense system. “Germany did a disproportionate amount, especially when it came to the Patriots,” said the minister. “We’ve sold more than a third of our capabilities.”
Berlin is still waiting to replace the systems it provided to Kyiv and also needs to rearm its own military’s training and maintenance capabilities, he argued. “That’s why we can’t give away any more systems.
German arms exports to Ukraine fell drastically last year, according to data from the Ministry of Economy last month. Berlin approved military equipment worth a total of €1.14 billion ($1.34 billion) for Kyiv from January 1 to December 8, 2025, down from €8.15 billion ($9.73 billion) in 2024.
The government still plans to increase its military support to Ukraine this year by allocating 11.5 billion euros ($13.72 billion). According to a December report by Die Welt, the money is to be spent on artillery, drones and armored vehicles, as well as two other Patriot systems. On Monday, Pistorius confirmed the amount but did not specify whether Patriot deliveries were still on the agenda.
In early January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy complained that Kiev’s European backers were not moving fast enough to fund a plan to buy US-made weapons for its defense, marking progress of the month “insufficient.”
Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying they only prolong the conflict without changing the outcome.
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