Trump approves $2.1 billion Patriot missile deal for Ukraine after tensions Zelenskyi: Is his Ukraine policy changing? | Today’s news
After weeks of tension between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Washington approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Kyiv on Friday (local time), the State Department announced.
According to Reuters, the sale of 500 Patriot missiles at an estimated cost of $2.1 billion has been approved, in what is seen as one of the most significant steps toward supplying defense weapons to war-torn Ukraine since the start of the second Trump administration.
US approves sale of Patriot missiles to Ukraine: What we know
The development comes at a time when Ukraine has long argued that it urgently needs more missile interceptors to defend against increasing Russian missile attacks. The Patriot system is Kiev’s most effective defense against high-velocity ballistic missiles.
The delayed missile deliveries added to a growing list of tensions for Ukraine, especially after Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia and waived Moscow-related sanctions under the Graham Act. The US president also criticized Zelensky for the country’s unwillingness to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s president said Kiev had waited more than a month for Washington to sign off on deliveries of critical missiles as Russia stepped up its attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure across the country.
According to the report, despite the urgent need, Ukraine will likely face a long wait for the fighter jets. Arms deals often take years to complete, and two people briefed on the US decision said the missiles had yet to be built, with deliveries not expected until the early 2030s.
Who Pays for 500 Patriot Missiles?
The State Department said in a statement that Kiev will pay for those 500 Patriot missiles with contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway through a program called US JUMPSTART, along with national funds financed by the European Union from a Ukrainian support loan.
The department said: “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.”
She further noted: “Ukraine will pay for this purchase from donations from Canada, Germany and Norway through the JUMPSTART program and national funds, financed by the European Union from the Ukrainian support loan.”
According to the Pentagon’s website, the U.S. JUMPSTART program allows allies to provide donations to purchase weapons, services and training for Kyiv to support its self-defense following an invasion by Moscow.
Previously, the JUMPSTART program was used in August to purchase 3,350 air-launched cruise missiles worth $825 million manufactured by Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire.
What is changing in Trump’s policy in Ukraine?
The sale of the Patriot suggests that Washington remains willing to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine despite Trump’s recent criticism of Zelensky. However, the purchase is financed through allied contributions and funds supported by the European Union. Along with Trump’s diesel deal with Russia and sanctions waivers, the approval points to continued military support for Kiev without a broader change in Washington’s approach to war.
