United to win: Germany and EU allies to send additional Iris-T and Gepard air defense systems to Ukraine by end of 2024

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Germany and its EU partners will contribute to strengthening Ukrainian air defense before the winter period.

According to Ukrinform, Baerbock announced this before the start of the informal meeting of the heads of foreign affairs of the European Union on August 29 in Brussels.

"Putin is waging a "cold war" so that people are desperate and frozen. This is what we must prevent… Germany will transfer four more Iris-T systems to Ukraine by the end of the year, additional Gepard self-propelled guns, because the sky's protection remains the most important thing for protecting human lives," Baerbock said.

She said that the partners are getting ready to put a "protective umbrella" over Ukraine this winter to mitigate the damages to its energy infrastructure and other facilities, which could surpass previous years' levels. She pointed out that the attacks have been picking up right before the arrival of colder temperatures.

Baerbock stated that despite all efforts to achieve peace, Putin continues to wage war.

The diplomat added that no one wants peace as much as Ukraine, and no one is working harder to achieve it than Europeans with global partners, primarily in the G7 circle.

The head of the German Foreign Ministry reminded that Putin is waging a hybrid war also against the West. She urged not to be naive and to clearly see who enters the EU from the Russian Federation.

For reference:

Today, on August 29, informal gatherings of EU foreign affairs ministers are happening in Brussels.

The key topics of discussion will be:

• strengthening of military support to Ukraine from the EU and member states,
• strengthening of air defense capabilities,
• promotion of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU,
• attracting the broadest possible global support for the Peace Formula on the way to the second Peace Summit.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, also participates.

Dmytro Kuleba and Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, discussed military aid to Ukraine, progress on the path to membership, and preparations for the Second Peace Summit.