The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

Zelensky inspects Patriot battery pledged to Ukraine during Germany visit

by Martin Fornusek June 12, 2024 10:18 AM 2 min read
President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a German military base in Sanitz on June 11, 2024. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)
This audio is created with AI assistance

President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 11 visited the 21st Surface-to-Air Missile Group in Sanitz, Germany, and met Ukrainian soldiers trained there to operate Patriot air defense systems.

Accompanied by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Zelensky also inspected the Patriot battery that is planned to be handed over to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said earlier the same day that Berlin would deliver its third Patriot system to Ukraine in the coming weeks or months, bolstering Ukraine's air defenses in the face of Russian aerial attacks.

Ukraine operates at least two Patriot systems supplied by Germany and one sent by the U.S. The Netherlands previously supplied two launchers and founded an initiative to jointly supply a full new system in cooperation with other partners.

Washington also decided to provide Ukraine with an additional battery, the New York Times reported on June 11, citing senior administration and military officials.

"I am grateful to our partners, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Germany, and all German people for their steadfast defense support for Ukraine, including our defenders' training," Zelensky said on X.

"I thank our warriors for their service. We believe in you. And we are doing our utmost to strengthen our defense."

Zelensky visited Germany earlier on June 11 to attend the Ukraine Recovery Forum in Berlin and hold talks with the country leaders. Speaking at the conference, the president called on international partners to provide additional air defenses and energy aid to help the country withstand Russian attacks.

Ukraine war latest: Major reconstruction aid announced at Ukraine Recovery Conference
Key developments on June 11: * New assistance announced for Ukraine at Ukraine Recovery Conference * Ukraine controls Ivanivske near Chasiv Yar, battles ongoing in Staromaiorske, military says * Ukraine shot down Russian Su-25 aircraft, military says * Media: G7 to create Ukraine aid fund using…

News Feed

8:06 AM  (Updated: )

Zelensky arrives in South Africa to meet President Ramaphosa.

"We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
5:30 AM

Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit.

Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump's last in-person encounter with his Russian counterpart was during the 2018 Helsinki Summit during the U.S. president's first term.
8:08 PM

Ukrainians react to US proposal of recognizing Crimea as Russian.

The U.S. media outlet Axios reported on April 23 that the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's final proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war included the U.S. de jure recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and de facto recognizing its control of other occupied Ukrainian territories. We asked Kyiv residents for their reactions to the U.S. proposal.
7:21 PM  (Updated: )

Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.

"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.