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The United States is set to supply Ukraine with 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles amid its ongoing war with Russia, with the estimated value of the deal standing at $2.1 billion.
The US State Department said on Friday that it had approved the proposed sale of the missiles to Kyiv.
The United States has been supplying various types of weapons to Ukraine for a long time to help it defend itself against Russia’s invasion. However, this is expected to be one of the biggest initiatives by the Trump administration to provide defensive weapons to Ukraine since he began his second term.
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have recently increased over delays in missile deliveries. Meanwhile, Trump has announced a deal involving diesel trade with Russia.
Trump has also strongly criticised Ukraine’s reluctance to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. He specifically criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that his unwillingness was preventing an end to the attacks.
The Russian military has been intensifying missile attacks on Ukraine. Kyiv has long maintained that it urgently needs more missiles to repel the attacks and sustain its war effort. Patriot missiles are considered among the most effective weapons for intercepting high-speed ballistic missiles.
On Monday, Zelensky said Ukraine had been waiting for nearly a month for US approval regarding the supply of critical missiles. During this period, Russia had intensified attacks on the country’s energy and civilian infrastructure.
However, despite Ukraine’s urgent need, the missiles are unlikely to arrive anytime soon. Arms sales agreements typically take several years to fulfil.
Two sources familiar with the US decision said the missiles had not yet been manufactured. They are unlikely to reach Ukraine until the early years of the 2030s.
One of the sources said Ukraine’s Defence Ministry was urging the Pentagon to accelerate the deliveries. One option under consideration could be to transfer some Patriot missiles from existing US stockpiles to Ukraine ahead of schedule and replenish the American arsenal later with newly manufactured missiles. Source: Reuters.
