Verena Mueller, “Die Welt”: Can Ukraine number on US support?
Nico Lange: All we hear from Trump and the US are temporary solutions. We don't know what's next.
What will happen to Ukraine if the Americans retreat their aid?
Surely not a breakdown, it will not be over, as any observers have said. But of course there will be any difficulties, especially in the field of air defence and long - scope weapons — HIMARS and ATACMS. If there is besides no intelligence cooperation, this will limit Ukraine's ability to dynamically identify targets and reduce alert times. So Kiev began intensively seeking another solutions — there is no another choice.
The Russians launch drones and dozens of missiles on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure all day. Which 1 precisely hits Ukraine?
Russia may attack from 3 sides — north, east, and south. It conducts attacks utilizing a wave of drones that attack simultaneously and most frequently at night. They flood Ukrainian defence systems.
Additionally, there are combined attacks with ballistic missiles from Crimea or Russia and maneuvering missiles fired from ships in the Black Sea or from aircraft. Ballistic missiles fly very quickly, can travel long distances and have short informing times. Manoeuvring missiles fly programmed routes that require many course changes.
What about the drones?
Although they are much slower than missiles, they fly at very low altitudes and are hard to detect by radar. In addition, the Russians besides launch attraps as decoys to confuse Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense. They are based on mass numerical advantage, which makes it very hard to defend themselves against the waves of specified attacks. Ukraine no longer has adequate modern air defence systems and aircraft to shoot down drones and missiles. As a result, Russia is able to strike again and again.
So far, the air defence strategy has been able to counter any of these attacks. How precisely does this defence work?
These systems effort to respond best to different missiles by combining different systems that come from Ukraine or from partners. Drones and missiles fly different routes and at different altitudes. The Ukrainian air defence strategy must admit very rapidly whether it is attacking a drone, ballistic missile, maneuvering rocket or decoy. Then he has to decide which defence weapon to use. Russia frequently uses inexpensive weapons and missiles to attack — it is not always possible to shoot them down with costly Patriots.
JENS BUETTNER / Pool / PAPVolodymyr Zelenski in Germany, in the background of the Patriot launcher, 16 June 2024.
What about what?
For example, fast-fired guns or electronic combat. Then the Patriots can concentrate on missiles and maneuvering missiles.
Patriot systems come primarily from the US. The suspension of military aid by the Americans can make Ukraine run out of them. What makes them so crucial to the defence?
They are capable of capturing ballistic missiles specified as Iskander or Kindzarz. Only the Patriot is so powerful that it can admit and repel missiles in specified a short time. Thanks to these systems, Ukraine has so far had rather good air defence. If the U.S. stops supplying these systems, Russian missiles will hit cities, energy infrastructure and defence companies again. This will entail more deaths in large Ukrainian cities. It is besides possible that many Ukrainians will begin to wonder again whether they should leave the country.
The MBDA arms company wants to produce Patriot systems in Schrobenhausen, Bavaria.
The plan includes the production of guided missiles, or ammunition. Before he can start, it'll be 2 to 3 years. However, the advantage is that if European countries know that specified production will take off and that they will be able to replenish their supplies, it will be easier for them to hand over the weapons they gotta Ukraine.
Is there a substitute for the Patriots?
On many issues, they are not equal.
What about the German IRIS-T system?
It is very good and has a advanced hit rate. It besides has a large scope of 40 km — inactive smaller than the Patriot. IRIS-T besides lacks ammunition. If we had more of these systems, the situation would be much better. There's quite a few talk in Germany about IRIS-T systems, but so far fewer have reached Ukraine — up to a fewer pieces. Ukraine would request 14 to 18 specified systems. The Germans have promised to deliver so much, but it takes time.
Norwegians offer Ukraine NASAMS Air defence Systems. How effective are they?
In any cases they may attack the same targets as the Patriots. They have a shorter scope of 25 km. If Patriot does not track a more distant target, NASAMS can service as a kind of support if these systems are deployed alongside each other. However, all these systems combine that they are produced besides slowly.
Are the US not curious in large-scale weapons production for their own economical interests?
The American defence manufacture is very dissatisfied with what Trump is doing. He does not even like the fact that, through his actions, Europeans undermine the credibility of American weapons. Trump's threats to halt the supply of certain military technologies to Europe make this 1 start looking for fresh solutions.
Before the Munich safety Conference There was a general consensus among Europeans to increase safety spending and acquisition parts of arms from the US. due to the fact that they have more production capacity and any opportunities that Europeans do not have, and this has helped to strengthen transatlantic relations. But now there is no consensus. Trump has no thought how bad it is for American business.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP / AFPDonald Trump at the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C., March 14, 2025.
After Russia partially paralysed conventional networks in Ukraine, Elon Musk offered his aid by providing the Starlink satellite system. Now He's threatening to shut it down. Could Europeans replace him?
Musk withdrew his threat and assured that he would keep his deal. We Europeans have the same problem with the alleged low-orbital satellite constellations as with the net and cloud processing. We are far behind, and we must resolve any doubts in this respect with appropriate regulation. The EU has already made decisions in this direction, but it has never been able to bring the satellite into orbit by simply introducing any rules. The EU needs the ability to carry its own satellites into space.
How far have Europeans gone with their own system?
Europe has satellite capabilities. The difference, however, is that Starlink has much more satellites and thus more data bandwidth. It's not easy to do that. Europeans must first launch satellites and build a network. This urgently requires the ability to launch satellites into orbit.
There are plans to launch tiny satellites, for example, from the North Sea. any global players offer action in this direction. However, it is improbable that we will build specified a European capacity by asking Musk to send our satellites into space with SpaceX.
What is Europe truly good at erstwhile it comes to defence?
We have very good tanks and armored transporters, very good missiles and ammunition, very good sensor technology for collecting all kinds of information and very good electronic warfare companies. IRIS-T is 1 of the best defence systems in the world. European start-ups are besides constantly developing their technological capabilities.
Why are they failing?
All crucial solutions, by various restrictions, have been implemented repeatedly in the US. We must make our own ideas large and cost quite a few money, especially now that defence budgets are growing. present we should spend money differently than 30 years ago — not so slow and with little risk.
What would Europe gotta do first if the US had stopped arms supplies to Ukraine?
Invest in the Ukrainian defence sector. It has many data and valuable experience taken straight from the battlefield. Ukraine itself already produces 40% of its current request for weapons, but only half uses this production. Developing common solutions together with Ukrainians is simply a promising approach.
