US State Department approves potential $2.6 billion deal to supply Ukraine with air defense equipment

Washington – 19 – 9 (KUNA) – The U.S. Department of State announced on Saturday its approval of a potential sale of air defense equipment to Ukraine worth $2.6 billion, coinciding with the imposition of stringent U.S. sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine.

In a letter to Congress, the U.S. State Department stated that the Ukrainian government has requested S-300 missiles, GEM-T (Ground Environment Missile) missiles, laser-guided air defense missile systems, and radars to counter drones, along with other logistics-related equipment.

The department clarified that “if the proposed purchase is completed, Ukraine will finance it through European contributions and the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program, for which funds were allocated during the previous administration.”

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a law on Friday imposing a new package of sanctions on Russia, aiming to increase pressure on Moscow due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This followed Congress’s approval of the legislation after months of delay.

The law, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, as well as senior officials in the Russian government.

(END) A.M.M. / R.J.