NATO and EU press Spain and Greece to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Spain and Greece are being pressed to hand over Patriot missiles to Ukraine, with Kyiv and its partners particularly interested in PAC-2 interceptors. The two countries hold some of the largest Patriot stocks among Ukraine’s allies.

Calls for Madrid and Athens to provide the missiles reportedly began during the summer. EU defense and foreign ministers are expected to discuss support for Ukraine at a meeting in Dublin, joined by representatives from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

Greece has resisted pressure to transfer its Patriot systems. Athens says it needs to retain enough weapons for its own defense, especially because of its long-standing tensions with Turkey. Greece was among the first countries to send ammunition to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Spain previously announced that it would provide Ukraine with 1 billion euros in military aid in 2026. However, a Greek government representative and Spain’s Defense Ministry declined to comment on the negotiations.

The debate comes as Europe confronts a wider shortage of Patriot missiles. The systems are being used heavily during the war between the United States and Iran, and some U.S. missile stocks in Europe have been moved to the Middle East. NATO and the Pentagon have said the situation is not critical, but replenishing supplies could take several years. Larger quantities are not expected until around 2030.