He later suggested that capability could be operational in Ukraine within weeks.
On Monday, Trump stated that a portion of Patriot missile defense systems would arrive “within days” but others have since questioned how quickly the transfer could take place.
Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Allied Air Command leader, said earlier on Thursday: “Preparations are under way — we are working very closely with the Germans on the Patriot transfer.”
Merz joined British Keir Starmer for a press conference as part of a trip to the U.K. to sign a friendship treaty promising deeper co-operation on security and defense.
Starmer said it was “absolutely clear that he [Trump] wants Putin to move” and was now “backing that up with military capability.”
Merz specified that defense ministers were now pinning down logistics in order to make good on Trump’s offer, which will see European countries send weapons to Ukraine before buying replacements from the U.S.
Both leaders also spoke of the need to put economic pressure on Russia, with Merz calling for Trump to agree to the package of sanctions put forward by U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham.