Kathmandu. The US has approved the sale of 500 Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine. At a time when Russia is intensifying air attacks on Ukraine, the US government has allowed the sale of Patriot missiles, which are considered essential.
According to the US Department of State, the sale price of the state-of-the-art PAC-3 interceptor missile will be 2 billion 100 million US dollars. European countries and Canada will provide the necessary funds for the purchase. The ministry has also clarified that no money will be spent by the US government.
According to the ministry, Ukraine will purchase the missile using the support provided by Canada, Germany and Norway through the “Jumpstart” program and the funds received from the European Union’s aid loan to Ukraine. Its main supplier will be the American company Lockheed Martin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the US to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible on Friday night. However, it is estimated that it may take “a few years” for the missile to be supplied.
The Patriot system is considered effective in shooting down Russian ballistic missiles. Recently, Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks in various areas of Ukraine. In a statement issued by the US Department of State, it is mentioned that the proposed sale will strengthen the security of Ukraine, a partner country that contributes to the political and economic stability of Europe.
The approval of the missile sale comes at a time when relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky have been strained. Earlier this month, Zelensky expressed displeasure after the US eased some sanctions on Russia as part of a deal to secure diesel supplies from Russia.
Trump also expressed that Ukraine needs new leadership for the agreement to end the war with Russia. However, on October 20, after Zelenskiy held talks with US representatives in Oslo, Norway, the tension between the two countries eased.
Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine in February 2022. Before that, in 2014, Russia had taken control of Crimea and some parts of the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.