U.S. approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but Zelenskyy warns deliveries would take years

October 31, 2026 / 4:22 AM EDT / CBS News

The State Department approved on Friday the sale of 500 Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine at a cost $2.1 billion.

In a statement released Friday, the State Department said the purchase will be paid for by Ukraine with donations from Canada and European allies such as Germany and Norway, and that no U.S. funds are involved in the sale.

"This proposed 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 department said. It also added the principal contractor in this agreement is Lockheed Martin and that there would be "no adverse impact" on U.S. defense readiness.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded the decision, and thanked President Trump, but warned that it may take years for the munitions to be delivered to Ukraine.

"We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger," Zelenskyy appealed on Friday evening.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian president said there had been more than 30 Russian strikes on…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/