Overnight on July 21, Russian forces launched<\/a> a new mass air attack against Ukraine \u2014 including 426 Shahed-type drones and various missiles, including Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles as well as Kalibrs and Kh-101 cruise missiles.<\/p>\n Speaking during the 29th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting (better known as the Ramstein group after the U.S. base in Germany), Pistorius said<\/a> he reached the agreement with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth<\/a> during a recent trip to Washington. <\/p>\n Coordination with partners on the systems’ delivery will continue in the coming days, Pistorius added.<\/p>\n Norway will take part in financing the deliveries<\/a>, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said during his official visit to Berlin. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously announced that Oslo offered to purchase one Patriot system for Ukraine.<\/p>\n Separately, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said at the Ramstein summit that his country is in talks with the U.S. and other allies on supplying additional weapons, including Patriots, to Ukraine.<\/p>\n “Russia’s goal is simple: to bring the steadfast Ukrainians to their knees. We must not let this happen. That is why we want to make a substantial contribution to additional air defense for Ukraine,” Brekelmans said in a statement<\/a>. The exact details of the Dutch contribution will be announced shortly, he added.<\/p>\n The U.S.-built Patriot<\/a> systems are a vital part of Ukraine’s layered air defense<\/a>, capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles and providing protection against large-scale strikes on cities.<\/p>\n The new commitment follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s July 14 announcement<\/a> of a NATO- and EU-backed initiative under which alliance members will purchase U.S.-made weapons systems for Ukraine.<\/p>\n Trump claimed on July 16 that Patriot shipments to Ukraine were already underway<\/a>. Initially, the German defense ministry denied<\/a> knowledge of any such transfers. <\/p>\n On July 14, a German government spokesperson said<\/a> that talks were ongoing among allies to deliver more than three Patriot systems to Ukraine.<\/p>\n Washington has already sent three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, with Germany<\/a> providing three more. An additional battery has come from a European coalition, though not all of the systems are currently operational due to routine maintenance rotations. <\/p>\n