Germany cannot provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defence systems for now without creating gaps in its own defences, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said.

In an interview with the Berliner Morgenpost published on Saturday, Mr Pistorius said Germany had already supplied Ukraine with several Patriot systems and interceptor missiles, but could not replace equipment quickly enough to justify further transfers.

"Anything we give now would not be replaced for the time being; that would create gaps on our side that we cannot justify," he said. "We cannot do more right now."

Mr Pistorius urged other countries to contribute more, as Russia continues its attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. The issue will be discussed at the next Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, scheduled for 17 November in Brussels, where Germany and Britain hope to present a plan for more systems and missiles.

Interceptor supplies still in focus

The minister's remarks concern complete Patriot systems rather than a halt to all air defence help. Germany is still working to supply more interceptor missiles, although replenishing those weapons remains a challenge. The United States has provided only limited replenishments of Patriot equipment and missiles, while German production of PAC-2 GEM-T interceptors is still getting under way.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Mr Pistorius in Berlin on 4 November to discuss speeding up shipments of German-made PAC-2 missiles. Ukraine has a contract to buy the missiles over the next two years, but Mr Zelenskyy has warned the country needs faster deliveries to withstand Russian attacks during the winter.

The announcement comes days before US, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are due to meet in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November for another round of US-mediated peace talks.