US Approves $2.7bn Military Package for Ukraine

The United States has approved the potential sale of military equipment worth $2.7bn to Ukraine, the US Department of State announced. The package is primarily aimed at strengthening Ukraine's air defense, but the transaction must still be reviewed by Congress.

The package includes decoys for S-300 systems, GAM-67 missiles, extended-range missile systems, launcher modifications and counter-drone radars.

If the purchase goes ahead, Ukraine is to finance it through a combination of European contributions and the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which provides grants that allow partner countries to buy US weapons and defense equipment.

FMF funds will also count as a US capital contribution to the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which was established under last year's agreement on mineral resources.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump also signed a sweeping package of sanctions against Russia, intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow.

(Reuters, est)