U.S. approves $2.1 billion sale of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine

The Trump administration approved the sale of $2.1 billion in Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine on Friday, the State Department said in a statement. The State Department said 500 Patriot missiles are being purchased for Ukraine with donations from Canada, Germany and Norway through a U.S. program and that no American funds were involved. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe,” the department said in a news release. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said repeatedly in recent weeks that Patriot missile systems are essential for defending against Russian attacks. “Our soldiers have been very strong this year.