Ukraine got old American Patriots from Israel, states ambassador
Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky stated that Israel has supplied Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems that it originally acquired from the United States in the early 1990s. He declared it in an interview with Marichka Dobvenko, as Ukrinform reports.
"In the early 1990s, when the first Gulf War took place, we received Patriot systems from the United States. By the way, these systems are now in Ukraine – these are systems that had been in service with Israel in the early 1990s and then we agreed to transfer them to Ukraine," stated Ambassador Brodsky.
"Unfortunately, not much was said about this, but when some say Israel did not help Ukraine militarily, it’s not true. Israel helped in a military sense as well," added Brodsky, further remarking he would refrain from commenting on the "sensitive" topic of Israeli help toward Ukraine.
"I always emphasise that it is better to talk about these topics not in the media, not publicly, but through special channels that are in place. Therefore, let's leave this topic to specialists, to those who work in this area," stated the ambassador.
Brodsky also emphasised that he has consistently made efforts to engage in transparent and sincere dialogue with fellow diplomats regarding the war in Ukraine. Nonetheless, he admitted that within Israel, he has been criticised by some for what they interpret as showing too much sympathy toward the Ukrainian side, as United24Media notes.
The New York Times reported in May that Israel had secured a deal with Kyiv before President Trump's election to deliver the Patriot system to Ukraine. The Defence Department stated that it "continues to provide equipment to Ukraine from previously authorised aid packages, which include both items from current stockpiles and newly procured weapons.
According to the portal, the Patriot was expected to be offered this summer.
Source: Ukrinform, United24Media, The New York Times
