Trump approves $2.1bn sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine that may not arrive until 2032
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, who had warned this month that Ukraine had nearly run out of Patriot interceptors as Russia struck a Kyiv energy facility on 30 October, blacking out four city districts.Ukrainian emergency service firefighters tackle a blaze in Sumy region as Russia struck energy infrastructure across Ukraine, hitting a Kyiv facility on 30 October and a combined heat and power plant in Shostka the following morning.A fire engine tackles a blaze in the Poltava region as Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure daily, striking a Kyiv facility on 30 October and a Shostka heat and power plant the following morning.Norway, Germany and Canada are funding the entire $2.1bn package of 500 Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning deliveries may not begin for years.
Canada, Germany and Norway are funding the entire $2.1bn deal through the US JUMPSTART programme, with no American taxpayer money involved, and Lockheed Martin named as the principal contractor. Zelensky praised the approval as a 'strong decision' but immediately warned the missiles 'may begin delivery ONLY IN A FEW YEARS', urging allies to hand Ukraine Patriots from existing stockpiles now and replenish them with this purchase later.
Russia struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure more than 30 times in the past two weeks, including a drone attack that killed 14 on a Dnipro rail platform.
Zelensky had accused the Pentagon of sitting on the approvals for nearly a month, directly naming Defence Secretary Hegseth.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence is pressing the Pentagon to advance delivery by drawing on current US arsenal stocks rather than waiting for the missiles to be manufactured.
