US approves $105m sale for Ukraine's Patriot missile defence maintenance
The US Pentagon has approved a potential $105 million sale to Ukraine for the maintenance of its Patriot missile defence batteries, which are described as crucial for the country's protection against Russian missile attacks, the AFP news agency reports.
Major US defence contractors participating in the potential deal include RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia, and Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, according to EFE. The proposed sale is designated as a key component of ongoing US defence aid to Ukraine.
The maintenance package includes spare parts and services for the Patriot air defence systems. The official press release details specifics such as "modernization of the launchers (...), as well as other essential services, accessories, and replacement components."
The transaction received formal approval from the US State Department and was duly notified to Congress, in compliance with American law.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by strengthening the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe," a Pentagon statement from November 18, quoted by Agerpres, affirmed.
The statement further indicated that the sale is intended to bolster Ukraine's capacity "to counter current and future threats," enabling it to perform self-defence missions through a stronger local weapons maintenance capability.
The announcement follows a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States in October, during which he met with American defence industry representatives, including Raytheon, the manufacturer of the Patriot systems.
President Zelensky stated shortly after his trip that Ukraine "needs" 25 additional American Patriot air defence systems to effectively counter the ongoing Russian aggression.
The move comes amid heightened political scrutiny over aid. Since his return to power in January, US President Donald Trump, who has offered to mediate the conflict, has been vocal in his criticism of American military and financial assistance to Kyiv, which has totalled $67 billion since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
Instead of direct US aid, Mr. Trump had earlier advocated for a NATO-backed programme that enables European countries to finance the transfer of American weapons to Ukraine.
President Zelensky is scheduled to travel to Turkey on Wednesday in an attempt to re-establish US engagement in peace talks with Russia. The talks remain stalled, particularly as Moscow has renewed its bombing campaign targeting crucial Ukrainian energy infrastructure as the winter season approaches.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
