Ukraine War; Zelensky needs this; Zelensky needs that

The U.S. State Department said on Friday it had approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1 billion

in what would be one of the most significant steps to supply defensive weapons to Kyiv since the start of the second Trump administration.

Delayed missile deliveries have ‌added ⁠to Ukraine’s tensions with the U.S. after President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia and criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for Ukraine’s unwillingness to stop attacks on Russian refineries.

Ukraine has long said it urgently needs more missile interceptors to knock down the growing waves of missiles Russia’s military fires at the country. The Patriot missile system is the most effective weapon to counter fast-moving ballistic missiles.

Weapons sales typically take years to fulfill, and two people briefed on the U.S. decision said the missiles — which are yet to be manufactured — are not expected to be delivered until a couple of years into the 2030s???

Ukraine will pay for the missiles with contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway routed through a program called US JUMPSTART, along with national funds financed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan, the State Department said in a statement.

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