Washington: The Trump administration has approved a proposed USD 2.1 billion sale of Patriot air defence interceptors to Ukraine, following concerns from Kyiv over delays in supplying critical ammunition needed to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.
According to the US State Department, the deal covers 500 Patriot missiles being procured for Ukraine through a US programme, with financial contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway. The department clarified that no American funds would be used for the purchase.
In a statement, the State Department said the proposed sale would advance Washington’s foreign policy and national security interests by strengthening the security of a partner nation considered important for political and economic stability in Europe.
The approval comes amid growing concerns in Ukraine over its diminishing stockpile of air defence ammunition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned earlier this month that the country was close to exhausting its supply of critical interceptors required to defend against Russian missile strikes.
Zelenskyy had also criticised the Pentagon for delaying the delivery of missiles purchased by other countries for Kyiv, raising concerns about the reliability and timing of military assistance.
Tensions between Ukraine and the Trump administration had further intensified following reports that US intelligence support, which provides warnings about potential Russian attacks, had been interrupted. Kyiv also reported restrictions on its Starlink satellite internet service.
Ukraine has since confirmed that access to intelligence support and Starlink connectivity has been restored, easing some of the immediate concerns over its military communications and defence capabilities.