By Basant El-Faramawy
The Trump administration has approved a proposed $2.1 billion sale of Patriot air defense interceptors to Ukraine, the State Department announced Friday. The decision follows Ukrainian accusations that the Pentagon had delayed delivery of the missiles needed to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Details of the sale
The package includes 500 Patriot missiles purchased through a U.S. program with donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway. The State Department emphasized that no American funds are involved in the transaction.
Background and Ukrainian concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned earlier this month that his country had nearly exhausted its supply of the vital interceptors. He accused the Pentagon of holding up deliveries of missiles that other nations had already paid for. Zelenskyy also said U.S. intelligence warnings of incoming Russian attacks had been interrupted and Starlink satellite internet service had been throttled, though both have since been restored.
US justification
The State Department said the proposed sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a partner that contributes to political and economic stability in Europe.
