Trump okays first arms sale to Ukraine – media
The White House has green-lighted the export of defense-related products to Ukraine through direct commercial sales (DCS) of $50 million or more, Kyiv Post has reported referring to its diplomatic sources.
The publication says that the $50 million sale license notice, first seen by Kyiv Post, was submitted to Congress via the Arms Export Control Act, a law that authorizes US Presidents to control the import and export of defense articles and services, according to formal notice sent to the Congress from the State Department’s Legislative Affairs office.
“The proposed sale covers the export of defense articles, including technical data, and defense services to Ukraine,” the message reads.
From 2015 through 2023, the US had quietly authorized the permanent export of over $1.6 billion in defense articles and services to Ukraine via DCS.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported, Ukraine received $105 billion in weapons and aid from the United States. He also denied media reports that some of the weapons were sent elsewhere.
