US approves $2.1B Patriot sale to Ukraine after alleged Pentagon delays

The Trump administration has given the green light for a $2.1 billion deal to supply Ukraine with Patriot air defense interceptors, according to The Independent ^[1]. The State Department confirmed on Friday that 500 missiles are being purchased through donations from Canada, Germany and Norway, with no American funds involved.

This decision comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the Pentagon of delaying deliveries, The Independent reported ^[1]. Zelenskyy had warned that Kyiv was nearly out of the vital munitions needed to stop Russian ballistic missiles. NBC News noted that Zelenskyy described the deficit as a major challenge to building an air defense shield for civilians ^[2].

The State Department stated the sale supports U.S. foreign policy by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for stability in Europe ^[1]. The approval marks one of the most significant defensive weapon supplies to Kyiv since the start of the second Trump administration, ABC News reported ^[3].

The move follows recent tensions between President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy. Trump has ramped up criticism, describing the Ukrainian leader as an obstacle to ending the war, NBC News said ^[2]. Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine was left exposed by restrictions on Starlink satellite internet service.

Ukraine said Saturday that both Starlink and its military variant, Starshield, were operating normally following a prolonged disruption ^[2]. This restoration came two days after Trump indicated Elon Musk had been asked to restore the service. The Pentagon had also faced accusations of interrupting U.S. intelligence warnings of incoming Russian attacks, which Ukraine said have since been restored ^[1].