EU weighs Patriot missile transfers to Kyiv

EU states may transfer some of their Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, later receiving an equivalent number from new US deliveries. Defense ministers will discuss this on September 28 in Brussels. Options include sending existing missiles or ceding order slots to Kyiv. One plan involves the US PURL mechanism, while another has EU nations giving up their Lockheed Martin orders. A separate scheme considers transferring interceptors from countries like Spain or Greece, with Ukraine using €90 billion in EU loan funds to order replacements. The discussions aim to accelerate deliveries, as officials acknowledge Ukraine needs interceptors "as quickly as possible." The EU Council meeting will focus on military support and air defense.