LOC12:07
09:07 GMT
BERLIN, July 14 (KUNA) -- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will fly to Washington later on Monday for talks with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth on military aid for Ukraine, the German Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Minister Pistoruius will hold discussions with Hegseth on prospects of arming the Ukraine with advanced air defense systems, the official statement said.
German Chancellor Friendsrich Merz has recently declared that Berlin is ready to buy the US Patriot systems for delivery to the Ukraine.
Pistorious is also expected to discuss with the American officials the question of maintaining the American forces' presence in Germany.
US President Donald Trump had affirmed the intention to keep the estimated 38,000 US troops deployed on the German territory.
Agenda of the planned talks in Washington also covers a transaction to sell 35 F-35 jet fighters to Germany for euro ten billion (USD 11.6 billion).
According to the German defense ministry, the air force will begin, next year, taking delivery of these formidable warplanes. (end)
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