The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 24/7 that the US State Department has approved two potential military equipment sales to Ukraine.

The first sale, valued at approximately $150 million, includes equipment and services to help Kyiv repair and maintain the M109 self-propelled howitzers provided by Washington. The US will provide training and necessary equipment to enable Ukrainian forces to repair and maintain more of these howitzers themselves.

The second package, worth around $180 million, provides similar support to help the Ukrainian military maintain, repair, and upgrade US-made air defense systems, although specific types were not mentioned.

Ukrainian M109 self-propelled howitzers deployed on the Donetsk front in September 2023. Photo: *Reuters*

A day earlier, the State Department also approved two other potential sales to Ukraine totaling $322 million, comprising equipment and services for the HAWK medium-range air defense system and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

These announcements do not signify that contracts have been signed or that negotiations have been finalized. The US Congress has 30 days to block the sales. If there are no objections, the contracts will be submitted to President Donald Trump for approval.

Since the conflict began in early 2022, the US has provided more than $67 billion in weapons and security assistance to Ukraine.

Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, the US stance on further military aid to Ukraine has shifted amidst calls to halt funding for foreign conflicts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a pause on military aid to Ukraine earlier this month to allow the Pentagon to reassess its weapons stockpiles.

President Trump later announced the resumption of aid to Ukraine. "We must do this to help them defend themselves while under heavy attack. We will send more weapons, mainly defensive equipment," he said.

Last week, the president also announced an indirect arms supply agreement for Ukraine, where NATO allies will purchase equipment from the US and then transfer it to Ukraine. It is unclear whether the sales just announced by the DSCA are related to this agreement.

Pham Giang (*AP, Kyiv Independent*)