Germany's Scholz-Patriot Missile System Offer To Poland Still Stands

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz states that Germany's offer to deploy Patriot missile defence systems in Poland 'still stands' after initial positive signals from Warsaw turned into a demand from the Polish gov't (potentially with an eye on next year's legislative election) demanding that Germany deploy the systems in western Ukraine rather than eastern Poland.

• Given that the systems would be staffed by German troops, this would risk NATO troops coming into the direct line of fire of Russian bombardments, in turn raising the prospect of a broader Russia-NATO conflict.
• Alexandrea von Nahmen at DW: "Stoltenberg repeats his position that it’s not only about the system itself, but also spare parts etc. Scholz says the debate‘s ongoing. Tricky issue for both."
• On O&G infrastructure security: "Nord Stream pipeline attacks showed that we must completely reevaluate safety of infrastructure."
• Scholz also states that he is "hoping to formally welcome Finland and Sweden as new NATO members by next meeting."