US approves $2.7 billion Ukraine Air Defense deal as Russia steps up missile attacks

The United States has cleared a potential $2.68 billion sale of air defense equipment to Ukraine as Kyiv struggles to stop a growing number of Russian missile attacks.

The State Department approved the possible sale on Friday, opening the way for Ukraine to buy missiles, launchers, counter-drone radars and other equipment from the US.

Among the weapons on Kyiv's shopping list are S-300 Clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles and Range-Extended Air Defense Laser Guided Rocket systems.

There will also be launchers, trailers, radars, spare parts and other equipment needed to keep the systems working.

Russia has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles against Ukraine in recent months, while Kyiv has been struggling with shortages of the interceptors needed to shoot them down.

That has left holes in Ukraine's air defenses at a time when Russian missiles and drones continue hitting Kyiv and other cities.

Who is paying the $2.68 billion bill?

The State Department says Ukraine plans to finance the purchase using money contributed by European countries together with US Foreign Military Financing that was approved during the Biden administration.

That fits with President Donald Trump's repeated demand that Europe take on more of the cost of supporting Ukraine.

Trump said this month that he would ask European countries to repay the US for some of the aid Washington provided to Kyiv under former President Joe Biden.

The weapons sale also isn't final yet. The State Department has given its approval, but the proposal now goes through the congressional review process before it can move ahead.