NATO announces accelerated transfer of 'Patriot' defense systems to Ukraine as Russian attacks escalate

NATO's Supreme Allied Commander confirmed today, Thursday, July 17, that preparations are underway to accelerate the transfer of 'Patriot' air defense systems to Ukraine, amid escalating Russian attacks that are among the most intense since the beginning of the war.

General Alexis Grinkivich said during a press conference in Wiesbaden: 'The guidance I received is to move as quickly as possible... We are working closely with the German side to complete the transfer process'.

This announcement comes days after US President Donald Trump's statement on Monday, confirming that US military support for Ukraine through NATO will include 'Patriot batteries and missiles'.

Responding to a question about sending 'Patriot' systems, Trump said: 'It's a complete set with batteries', noting during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that these weapons 'will be deployed quickly to the battlefield'.

Stoltenberg revealed that Ukraine will receive 'huge' quantities of weapons under a new agreement between NATO and the United States, including 'air defense, missiles, and ammunition'.

Trump explained that the value of these supplies, which include 'Patriot' systems and advanced ammunition, amounts to 'billions of dollars', indicating that the alliance will cover the costs.

This military escalation comes at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the war between Moscow and Kyiv are still faltering, as two rounds of negotiations in Turkey (May 16 and June 2) failed to make tangible progress, with no announcement of new talks so far.

It is worth noting that since returning to the White House in January, Trump has unsuccessfully tried to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war, while military confrontations continue without close indications of a solution.