Duda: Patriot missile launchers could be sent to Ukraine without NATO crews

Patriot surface-to-air missile systems (SAMS) could be sent to Ukraine without crews from NATO countries. However, if Germany does not agree to deploy missiles in Ukraine, they should be stationed in Poland.

President Andrzej Duda of Poland expressed his opinion via Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"From many points of view, it would be good if Patriot batteries were located away from the Polish border because then they would protect the territory of Poland, our citizens, and part of Ukraine. But if Germany does not agree to deploy the missiles in Ukraine, then these defense systems must be placed in Poland," Duda emphasized.

Later, in a debate with Polish expert Wojciech Szacki, he wrote on Twitter that Patriot batteries can be sent to Ukraine without NATO crews.

Read also: Morawiecki: Patriot missiles in Ukraine to protect sky over country’s western part

"Ukraine has long been asking for this. They will definitely agree to the condition of their deployment in such a way that the missiles also protect a NATO country, for example Poland," Duda emphasized.

He added that it is "possible". However, if there is no agreement on this (Germany - ed.), then the Patriot will have to be deployed in Poland.

As reported, last Monday Germany offered Poland to deploy Patriot SAMS on the Polish-Ukrainian border after the missile incident on Polish soil. Poland, for its part, offered to deploy the systems on the Ukrainian side of the border.

The German government spokesman, Christine Hoffmann, said that the German side is discussing with its allies Poland's initiative to transfer Patriots to Ukraine.