The United States is considering all available capabilities to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine and repel air threats.

CNN reported about this.

Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that the transfer of Patriot air defense systems is not in question and is not on the table.

“We discuss a wide variety of capabilities and support with Ukraine, we regularly consult with Ukraine, we regularly consult with our allies and our partners on what their defense needs are. Right now, we have no plans to provide Patriot battalions to Ukraine, but again, we’ll continue to have those discussions, and when and if there’s something to announce on that front, we will,” he said.

He also noted that the Patriot SAM requires significant maintenance and support.

“None of these systems are plug-and-play, you can’t just show up on the battlefield and start using them,” Ryder said.

At the same time, the United States and its partners continue to consult on what kind of assistance to provide Ukraine. The air defense link remains a priority for the Allies.

Earlier, a senior Pentagon official said that the United States is “considering all possibilities” to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, including Patriot systems.

“Patriot is one of the air defense systems being considered,” the official added.

It’s worth noting that this information wasn’t confirmed formally by the Pentagon.

Previously, Mariusz Blaszczak, the Minister of Defense of Poland, proposed to transfer the Patriot SAMs to Ukraine. These systems, in turn, were proposed to Poland by Germany.

“This will protect Ukraine from further casualties and blackouts and increase security on our eastern border,” Błaszczak wrote.

After that, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht stated that the decision to transfer such air defense systems to Ukraine should be made at the level of NATO member states, since Patriot represents a part of the Alliance air defense.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commented on the reaction of Germany and noted that each country separately decides what kind of weapons to transfer in support of Ukraine.

On Monday, November 28, German Defense Ministry spokesman Arno Kollatz said that Germany is interested in keeping Patriot air defense systems in the NATO system.