The administration of US President Donald Trump has made a decision that could significantly accelerate the transfer of additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reports, citing US officials, that the US has moved Germany ahead of Switzerland in the queue to receive new air defense systems.
This decision allows Berlin to more quickly transfer the two existing Patriot systems to Ukrainian forces - this is exactly what the German government was counting on, having previously stated that it was ready to transfer the systems to Kyiv immediately after receiving new installations from the United States.
The Swiss government has already confirmed that Washington has indeed changed its priorities in exporting ground-based air defense systems to “increase support for Ukraine.” Switzerland previously purchased five Patriot systems with planned delivery dates in 2026–2028, but this schedule is now in question.
This is the first time since Donald Trump returned to an active political role that the US administration has actually helped accelerate arms deliveries to Ukraine. Although there is no official confirmation of this decision yet, Reuters notes that the fact of the review of the queue is already recognized by the Swiss authorities.
US Special Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed that Washington is working to accelerate arms deliveries as part of Trump's new plan: it provides for the active participation of European allies in the procurement and transfer of weapons to Kyiv.
German government sources previously told BILD that an option was being considered in which the US would transfer Patriot systems from its stockpiles to Ukraine, with Germany compensating for their cost. However, Trump vetoed this: he stated that the US military could not give up any systems, and that allies in Europe should provide Ukraine with air defense from their own arsenals.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently assured that Ukraine will receive Patriots “in the coming weeks.” If Washington’s decision is confirmed, this will be the first large-scale military step of the new Trump administration in support of Kyiv.
