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U.S ,Ukraine

The United States has agreed to sell $138 million worth of urgently needed military equipment to Ukraine to repair and upgrade its Hawk missile systems. This move comes as a larger $60 billion aid package remains stalled in Congress.

Ukraine’s air defenses, which were mainly Soviet-era when Russia invaded in February 2022, have seen significant improvement with US equipment and aid since the conflict began. The US has provided Ukraine with advanced air defense systems like Patriot missiles, as well as older equipment such as the Hawk.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that Ukraine urgently needs to enhance its capabilities to defend against Russian missile strikes and aerial attacks. The sale of Hawk missile system equipment is aimed at improving Ukraine’s ability to defend its people and critical national infrastructure.

Despite the urgency, the sale is not expected to change the overall military balance in the region.

Ukraine has been calling on the United States to approve the $60 billion aid package, which has been delayed by disagreements among Republicans in Congress. This package would enable the delivery of essential weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine could lose the war if the aid package is not approved soon. Russian forces have intensified attacks recently, including a major aerial assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in power outages for over a million homes and the shutdown of the country’s largest hydroelectric plant.

The attacks have also targeted Chasiv Yar, a location close to Kramatorsk, an important rail and logistics hub for the Ukrainian army.

Washington has been a crucial military supporter of Kyiv since the Russian invasion. However, due to delays in the aid package caused by internal disagreements within the Republican party over President Joe Biden's immigration policies, Ukrainian soldiers have had to ration ammunition, uncertain about when the next delivery will arrive.

The $60 billion aid package has already been approved by the Senate, but its passage through Congress remains uncertain amidst ongoing political wrangling.