Berlin has already “done disproportionately much” to support Kiev’s air defense, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated
Germany cannot supply Ukraine with any additional U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems from its stockpiles, Boris Pistorius, the German defense minister, has announced. He told a press conference on Monday that Berlin has already contributed more than its fair share to aiding Kiev.
Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022, Germany has been the second-largest supplier of weapons to the country—surpassed only by the U.S. Between January 2022 and October 2025, it allocated nearly €20 billion ($23 billion) in military aid for Kiev, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Pistorius noted that Germany’s capacity to transfer more air defense systems has reached its limit. “When it comes to Patriots especially, Germany has done disproportionately much,” the minister said. “We have handed over more than a third of our capabilities.”
He explained that Berlin is still waiting for replacements for the systems it provided to Kiev and also needs to update its own military’s training and maintenance capacities. “That’s why we cannot give away any more systems,” he added.
Germany’s arms exports to Ukraine dropped sharply last year, according to data from the Economy Ministry released last month. Between January 1 and December 8, 2025, Berlin approved €1.14 billion ($1.34 billion) worth of military equipment for Kiev—down from €8.15 billion ($9.73 billion) in 2024.
The government still plans to increase its military support for Ukraine this year by earmarking €11.5 billion ($13.72 billion) for the effort. A December report by Die Welt said the funds would be used for artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and two additional Patriot systems. On Monday, Pistorius confirmed the amount but did not elaborate on whether Patriot deliveries were still planned.
Earlier in January, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky complained that Kiev’s European backers are not moving quickly enough to finance a scheme to purchase U.S.-made weapons for its defense, calling the month’s progress “insufficient.”
Russia has repeatedly criticized Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, saying they only prolong the conflict without changing the outcome.