US greenlights 500 Patriot missiles for Ukraine, with $2.1 billion to be paid by allies

WASHINGTON — The State Department announced today that it has approved the potential sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, with an estimated price tag of $2.1 billion to be paid “entirely by partners and allies.”

“The Government of Ukraine has requested to buy five hundred (500) PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles” along with classified and unclassified parts, according to a State Department congressional notification posted online.

The notification said that Kyiv could buy the high-tech missiles “with donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway via the JUMPSTART program and national funds, financed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan. No U.S. funds are involved in this sale.” JUMPSTART refers to the Joint Ukrainian Multinational Program–Services, Training and Articles Rapid Timeline program, established in 2022 as a mechanism for third-party countries to contribute funds to allow Ukraine to buy American equipment.

The potential 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 notice says.

However, the diplomatic language belies lingering tensions between Kyiv and Washington, especially when it comes to Patriot missiles. On Oct. 19, The Washington Post reported that the US appeared to have delayed the transfer of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine amid a falling out between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A few days earlier, CNN reported that Kyiv had run out of interceptors, leaving the country more vulnerable to deadly Russian missile and drone attacks.

On Oct. 25, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the US had resolved two other recent sticking points — the surprise disruptions in Starlink/Starshield connectivity and in US-provided missile warning information — but he appeared to call out the US for dragging its feet on Patriot deliveries.

“The issue of air defense remains. There is progress on missiles for Patriot systems, but things are moving very slowly. More slowly than Russian missiles fly,” he said. “You cannot say, ‘Yes, we will give the missiles to you,’ and then not deliver them for a month or two. It simply does not work that way.”

The embattled leader previously told ABC News that Ukraine would need 350 interceptors per month to properly defend its territory.

Foreign Military Sales notifications are generally early steps in what can be years-long processes. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to how today’s announcement may affect Kyiv’s near-term interceptor problem.

FMS deals are also typically not final when they’re announced, as quantities and prices can change as contract negotiations continue. Additionally lawmakers could step in and delay or block the deal as well, though that is less likely in this case considering the remaining bipartisan support for Ukraine.