U.S. State Department clears $2.7 billion Ukraine defence package

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U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. File | Photo Credit: AP

The U.S. State Department approved ​a potential $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air ‌defence development upgrades and related equipment ​and services, the department said in a ⁠congressional notification late on Friday (September 18, 2026)

“If the purchase is concluded, Ukraine would finance it using a combination of ‌European contributions and U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) appropriated during the administration of former President Joe ‌Biden,” the State Department said in ‌the notification.

FMF provides grant assistance that enables ⁠countries to purchase weapons and defense equipment produced in the United States.

“The FMF will be counted as a U.S. capital ​contribution to the Ukraine ‌Reconstruction Investment Fund via a 1:1 reimbursement,” the State Department said.

The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund was established as part of a minerals ‌deal signed between the U.S. and Ukraine last ​year.

“The package includes S-300 clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, range-extended air defence laser-guided ⁠rocket missile systems, launcher and mobile launching system modification kits and counter-drone system radars, among other ‌weapons systems,” the State Department said.

President Donald Trump had said he would end Russia’s war in Ukraine when he took office early last year but the goal remains elusive 20 ‌months into his presidency. Russia launched a full-scale invasion ​of Ukraine in early 2022.

Earlier on Friday (September 18), Donald Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions ⁠bill into law, paving the way for increased ⁠economic pressure on Russia.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump said he would ask European nations ‌to pay back the United States for military aid and munitions previously sent to Ukraine.

USA / Donald Trump / Ukraine / Russia / Russia-Ukraine Crisis / war / economy, business and finance

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