Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said in an interview with Euronews that European countries have already fully funded the procurement of interceptor missiles for Ukrainian Patriot air defence systems, but actual arms deliveries to the AFU are being stalled by political factors from Washington, according to him. In the assessment of the head of the Finnish defence department, what is now required to launch deliveries is precisely the "political will" of the US, rather than additional funds from Europe.
"The Most Critical Moment"
Häkkänen stressed that Ukraine is in its most vulnerable phase and needs all possible air defence assets. Referring to the approaching winter and Russia's preparation of new large-scale strikes against Ukraine's civil infrastructure, he stated that financing for the interceptors has already been allocated by European allies and the task now is to ensure their delivery. At the same time, according to him, Europe has become a "main player" in supporting Kyiv and cannot show fatigue or indecision, as this would send "an absolutely wrong signal".
The Question of Personal Responsibility
Answering a question on whether Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth bears personal responsibility for the delay, Häkkänen stated that he does not possess details allowing him to name a specific official. "I am not familiar with the essence of the main problem, but we know that Ukrainians need Patriots. Europeans have already allocated funds for this, and now it is only a matter of political agreements," the Finnish minister noted, limiting himself to stating that a decision must be made at the political level in the US.
Pressure on NATO Allies
According to Euronews sources within the Alliance, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe is working to persuade seven member states to transfer additional missiles from their own arsenals to Ukraine. These states, however, are in no hurry to give up armaments from their stocks without clear guarantees from Washington on the rapid replacement of the transferred missiles, which essentially shifts the decision on supplies onto the political will of the US.
What About the PAC-3 Missile
Recall that the US did not include missiles for Patriot air defence systems in the new military aid package for Ukraine. At the same time, Washington approved the potential sale to Ukraine of 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles for a total of 2.1 billion dollars, but according to available data, these missiles can reach Ukraine only in a few years, which does not meet the acute need for interceptors at the present moment.
