US approves potential Patriot missiles sale to Ukraine

On Friday, the Trump administration granted permission for a potential sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, according to the state department. The decision, which now awaits congressional review, aims to bolster Ukraine's defensive capabilities against Russian threats. The department emphasized that the move would enhance Ukraine's integrated air and missile defense systems.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that delivery of the weapons could take several years. He suggested that the US and European allies could temporarily provide Ukraine with existing stockpiles of PAC-3 interceptors, which could be replenished later through this new sale. The state department highlighted that the weapons sale aligns with US foreign policy and national security goals by enhancing the security of a key partner in Europe.

The approval follows weeks of Ukrainian complaints about dwindling supplies of interceptor missiles. Tensions between the US and Ukraine rose earlier this month following a US-Russia fuel deal, and due to concerns over US restrictions on satellite internet services and intelligence sharing. These tensions were briefly eased after Zelensky met with US envoys in Oslo on October 20.

The state department noted that the weapons sale would be funded by donations from Ukraine's allies, rather than US funds.