Ukraine war: US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of air defence equipment

The United States has given its approval for a potential sale of air defense equipment to Ukraine, amounting to $2.68 billion, following Kyiv's repeated appeals for assistance in repelling Russian attacks. The State Department announced the decision in a congressional notification on Friday, stating that it had determined a "possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine" for the procurement of air defense development upgrades and related equipment and services.

If finalized, Ukraine would fund the purchase using a mix of European contributions and US Foreign Military Financing allocated during the previous administration. The equipment sought by Ukraine includes various types of missiles, launchers, and counter-drone radars, according to the State Department. However, the proposed sale is contingent upon congressional review.

The estimated total cost of the sale is $2.68 billion. Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, has experienced an increase in Russian assaults, which its air defenses have struggled to counter due to ammunition shortages. Meanwhile, Russia's response to new US sanctions is expected to involve "military deterrence," as stated by Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev, a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of Moscow's most vocal opponents of Western influence.

Medvedev, now serving as deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, did not provide further details on his remarks. US President Donald Trump signed a bill on Friday that introduced sanctions targeting Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as President Putin and other senior officials, in response to the ongoing war. The legislation, named after the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to pressure Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

Since Moscow initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian officials, including Putin, have labeled Ukraine and its supporters as "terrorists," accusations Kyiv dismissed as baseless wartime propaganda.