Germany has declared its willingness to purchase American-made Patriot air defense systems and transfer them to Ukraine, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 10 during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. The announcement comes just hours after Russia launched a second consecutive night of large-scale aerial attacks on Kyiv, killing two and injuring at least 24 people.

Coordinated Deal in the Works

Speaking at the conference, Merz confirmed that he had raised the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump the previous week. "The Americans need some of them themselves, but they also have a lot of them," Merz said, adding that Germany is ready to fund additional purchases if Washington agrees to the transfer.

Though the final decision has not yet been made, reports from Axios and The Wall Street Journal suggest that the White House is considering a plan where Germany would purchase a Patriot battery, with the U.S. and European allies covering the cost jointly.

Reversal After Aid Freeze

This potential deal follows a period of confusion in Washington after the Pentagon announced a pause in critical aid deliveries—including Patriot interceptors—on July 2. Trump later denied ordering the pause and expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over continued aggression. Weapons shipments have since reportedly resumed as of July 10.

A Lifeline for Ukraine’s Air Defense

Ukrainian officials have urgently requested additional air defense systems in response to Russia’s increasingly destructive drone and missile strikes. Patriot batteries, prized for their precision targeting and ability to intercept ballistic threats, remain central to Ukraine’s layered air shield.

So far, the U.S. has delivered three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, Germany has contributed another three, and a separate European coalition has added one more. However, not all units are currently operational due to maintenance cycles.

If approved, this would mark the first major new U.S. weapons transfer to Ukraine under Trump’s current term, distinct from deliveries authorized during the Biden administration.