Germany only has six Patriots left defense minister
Germany has only six US-made Patriot air defense systems available, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has told the Financial Times. The official added that Berlin could no longer deplete its own stocks to arm Kiev.
While Ukraine has received a number of Patriot units since its conflict with Russia escalated in February of 2022, Vladimir Zelensky has been increasingly urging his Western backers to provide more recently.
In an interview with the FT published on Sunday, Pistorius said that "we only have six left in Germany," revealing that two of the country's Patriot units had been lent to Poland, while another was unavailable due to maintenance or training.
"That's really too few, especially considering the NATO capability goals we have to meet. We definitely can't give any more," the German defense minister stressed.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday evening, US President Donald Trump indicated his readiness to supply several Patriots to Ukraine. However, he stopped short of saying whether he was talking about entire air-defense systems or just the missiles for them.
"But the European Union is paying for them. We are not paying anything for them... This will be a business for us," Trump emphasized.
The comment came shortly after the Pentagon reversed its decision to cut some of its military aid for Kiev.
The US president has recently toughened his rhetoric toward his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, accusing him of being unwilling to end the hostilities.
Commenting on the Patriot system, valued at around $1 billion per battery, Trump said earlier this month that "it's a shame that we have to spend so much money" on supporting Ukraine.
The Russian military claims to have destroyed some of the Western-supplied Patriot air defense systems during the course of the conflict.
Moscow has consistently stressed that no amount of Western military aid to Ukraine can change the course of the conflict but only serves to prolong the bloodshed and escalate the hostilities.
(RT.com)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Country still an attractive investment destination
PETALING JAYA: Tariff negotiations and the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will be key factors that determine how investor sentiment is on Bursa Malaysia for the second half of the year (2H25). Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB Research) is optimistic Malaysia can negotiate a lower tariff level than the 25% announced by the White House effective before the Aug 1 deadline date. However, it said even if the tariff rate was to remain at the current level, the country will remain an attractive investment destination among foreign investors despite Vietnam (20% tariffs) and Indonesia (19% tariffs) having successfully negotiated a lower tariff rate. 'The gaps are modest and we believe they unlikely to deter foreign investments meaningfully. Even if tariffs remain elevated, policy tools like tax incentives can cushion the impact, in our view,' the research house stated in a strategy report. It added that Malaysia's corporate tax rate of 24%, versus 22% in Indonesia and 20% in Vietnam, has not historically hindered investments here due to the country's strong manufacturing base and supply chain links. 'We see these structural strengths will continue to make Malaysia an attractive destination under the global supply chain diversification or '+N' strategy,' HLIB Research stated. The research house has a 2025 target of 1,640 points for the benchmark FBM KLCI, with the valuation based on a 14.5 times price-earnings multiple, adding there is ample liquidity on the sidelines which is deployed increasingly by buying on dips. It however warned global markets are vulnerable to profit-taking and top-slicing activities, following the sharp rally after the announcement of US tariffs in April. 'Global equity prices have stayed relatively resilient, and overall market composure seems intact, which is arguably too calm. 'This prevailing stability may reflect a degree of complacency that suggest markets could be underpricing the risk of Trump following through with his latest tariff threats in August,' HLIB Research stated. It added the muted reaction on global markets may inadvertently embolden US President Donald Trump to follow through with his high reciprocal tariffs as his confidence has been reinforced by several recent successes such as the over US$100bil in customs duties collected without significantly derailing the economy, and continued strength in US equity markets which are trading at record highs. The research house however anticipates the equity market in the third quarter of this year (3Q25) to remain volatile due to macro and policy factors with 4Q25 likely becoming more calmer with any sharp drop in the market viewed as an opportunity to buy high beta stocks in particular. HLIB Research forecast the 13MP, which will be tabled in Parliament by the end of this month, to propose RM440bil of development expenditure and to have a globalist stance underpinned by the Madani ethos with projects reinforcing national flagship policies like the National Energy Transition Roadmap, New Industrial Masterplan 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy. This should provide leads for investors to pick stocks that can benefit from the 13MP plans. HLIB Research top picks at present are stocks of companies like CIMB Group Holdings Bhd , Sunway Bhd , Gamuda Bhd , 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd , AMMB Holdings Bhd , IOI Properties Group Bhd , Dialog Group Bhd and SMRT Holdings Bhd .
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Abang Johari: Federal-state ties remain strong for Sarawak's progress
MIRI: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has reiterated that the close cooperation between the state and federal governments would continue in the common interests of both the country and Sarawak. He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, which he leads, appreciates the cooperation currently enjoyed between the state and the federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "In fact, at the federal level, Sarawak is represented by a deputy prime minister, namely Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, in addition to other ministers from Sarawak," he said in his speech at the Sarawak Day celebration here yesterday. He expressed confidence that Sarawak's efforts to achieve greater prosperity would not undermine the wider national objective of advancing the country's overall development. He said the increase in Sarawak's revenue, particularly through the Sarawak Sales Tax (SST), would not diminish the country's revenue as the federal government has sufficient avenues to boost national income without burdening the people. Abang Johari said the GPS government would continue to fight for Sarawak's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through ongoing negotiations with Putrajaya. "Sarawak has successfully regained nine rights under MA63 and the GPS government will continue its efforts to restore all rights that have been eroded over the years," he said. He noted that Sarawak started as a state with many shortcomings and widespread poverty, especially in rural areas, during the formation of Malaysia. "Now we are grateful that Sarawak's economy has shown very encouraging growth," he said, adding that last year Sarawak recorded its highest ever revenue of RM14 billion compared to RM13.3 billion in 2023. He said this year he had presented the largest budget in Sarawak's history amounting to RM15.8 billion, opening up opportunities for a more inclusive economy. "Under the powers provided by the Federal Constitution, the state has begun to enjoy more of its oil and gas revenues through the SST imposed on petroleum products as well as through profit sharing between Petronas and Petros," he said. The premier said the World Bank had recognised Sarawak as a high-income region for three consecutive years since 2022 based on a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of RM73,100 (US$17,000) in 2024, a figure that surpasses the threshold of RM63,800 (US$15,000) set by the bank. He said this status had placed Sarawak in fourth position after the Kuala Lumpur and Labuan and Penang, surpassing Selangor. He said the state government would continue to ensure Sarawak's resources are given added value through the creation of downstream industries, particularly in the oil and gas sector, guided by the long-term Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR). He expressed confidence that when fully implemented within 10 years the SGR would attract investments worth RM300 billion and generate RM120 billion in output from the product and service chain. "New industries will also be created, especially in the renewable energy sector, to generate up to 15,000 megawatts of energy by 2035, not only for domestic consumption but also for export to Asean countries," he said.
Malaysia Sun
4 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Trump Media invests $2 billion in Bitcoin
The company plans to use the assets to generate revenues, according to a statement US President Donald Trump's media and technology company has acquired about $2 billion in Bitcoin and related assets, underscoring his administration's accelerating pivot toward cryptocurrencies. The Trump family has increasingly aligned with the crypto industry through new ventures, investments, and public endorsements in recent months. On Monday, Trump Media - the firm behind the Truth Social platform - announced the acquisition, saying another $300 million in capital has been allocated to an options-based Bitcoin strategy, and signaling that it may convert the options into cryptocurrency depending on market conditions. The assets will be used "to generate revenues and potentially to acquire additional crypto assets," CEO and President Devin Nunes said. Crypto now accounts for about two-thirds of the firm's $3 billion in liquid holdings. The purchase is part of Trump Media's 'Bitcoin treasury plan', which involves buying and holding digital assets - similar to how companies stockpile bonds - to increase liquidity and financial flexibility. Trump Media shares soared nearly 10% following the announcement. Trump, who placed his shares in a revocable trust managed by Donald Trump Jr., maintains a major stake valued at around $2.3 billion. Once a crypto skeptic, Trump reversed course during the 2024 campaign, pledging to make the US the "crypto capital of the world" and to serve as its "crypto president." Since returning to the White House, he has backed several family-led ventures in the space, including World Liberty Financial - a decentralized finance project that has brought in $500 million since launching in September. As part of the new US 'strategic reserve' of crypto assets unveiled in March, Trump signed the GENIUS Act last week - the country's first major law regulating digital currency. Critics have claimed that the overlap between Trump's crypto ventures and his political authority could result in widespread corruption. Trump Media's announcement came less than a week after Bitcoin hit a record high, topping $120,000 - reinforcing its position as the world's most valuable and widely held cryptocurrency. Analysts attributed the rally to surging institutional demand and a shift in US policy under Trump. On Tuesday, it was trading at $118,395 per coin. (
