Slovakia, one of three NATO allies that is in possession of key Soviet-era air defense systems, has reportedly agreed to send their S-300s units to Ukraine to help defend against Russian airstrikes, CNN reported Wednesday, citing according to three sources familiar with the matter.
As part of the agreement, Slovakia wants assurances that the systems will be replaced expeditiously, two of the sources said, according to CNN.
If a country provided its S-300s, the supplying country is likely to receive the US-made Patriot air defense missile system to backfill the capability it would be giving up, the sources familiar with the negotiations said.
The push to get more air defense systems into the hands of the Ukrainians comes as the U.S. and NATO are still grappling with how to increase Ukraine’s defensive capabilities without triggering a larger conflict.
