Zelenskyy and Germany’s defence minister discuss accelerating PAC-2 missile deliveries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Germany to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defences. The sides will work to accelerate PAC-2 missile deliveries and consider supplying IRIS-T systems and ammunition for F-16 fighter jets.
Key points
- Zelenskyy met German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Germany on 4 November 2026.
- Ukraine already has a contract to purchase German PAC-2 missiles for the following two years.
- Ukraine and Germany will work to accelerate PAC-2 deliveries.
- The sides will examine the supply of IRIS-T air-defence systems and ammunition for F-16 fighter jets.
- Ukraine faces a chronic shortage of Patriot interceptors, complicating its defence against ballistic missiles.
- Russia conducts numerous daily attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
- Germany, France and the United Kingdom will soon hold a Coalition of the Willing summit in Berlin.
Why it matters
Faster PAC-2 deliveries could improve Ukraine’s ability to protect critical infrastructure and withstand the current winter. The shortage of Patriot interceptors remains a major obstacle to defending against ballistic missiles, while German support for IRIS-T systems, F-16 ammunition and energy assistance could help address other operational needs.
What happened
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Germany to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences amid continued Russian strikes on critical infrastructure. Ukraine and Germany will work to accelerate deliveries of PAC-2 missiles under an existing two-year procurement contract. Their teams will also examine the supply of IRIS-T air-defence systems and ammunition for F-16 fighter aircraft. Zelenskyy said faster PAC-2 deliveries would significantly help Ukraine get through the winter and highlighted the chronic shortage of Patriot interceptors as a factor making defence against ballistic missiles particularly difficult.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage focused on the need to accelerate PAC-2 deliveries, the shortage of Patriot interceptors and daily Russian attacks on energy and other critical infrastructure. German assistance was presented as important for strengthening air defences, supporting F-16 operations and helping Ukraine endure the current winter.
Background
Russia conducts numerous daily attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with strikes on critical infrastructure reported across almost all Ukrainian regions. Ukraine already has a contract to purchase German PAC-2 missiles for the following two years.