State Department says 500 missiles bought with Canadian, German and Norwegian donations
The Trump administration said Friday that it has approved a proposed $2.1 billion sale of Patriot air defense interceptors for Ukraine, after Kyiv accused the Pentagon of delaying delivery of the vital munition needed to stop Russian ballistic missiles.
The State Department said in a press release that 500 Patriot missiles are being purchased for Ukraine with donations from Canada, Germany and Norway through a U.S. program.
The department said no American funds are involved in the purchase.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe,” the department said in the release.
The approval follows escalated tensions between Kyiv and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned earlier this month that his country had nearly run out of the vital military munition it needs to combat Moscow’s attacks.
The Ukrainian leader had accused the Pentagon of delaying delivery of the missiles that other countries have purchased for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also said U.S. intelligence that warns of incoming Russian attacks had been interrupted and that the Starlink satellite internet service had been throttled.
Ukraine says Starlink speeds and the intelligence have been restored.