What Trump’s approval of arms sales to Ukraine means: Expert explains
Photo: US President Donald Trump (GettyImages)
The approval by US President Donald Trump of American weapons supplies to Ukraine could mark the beginning of broader military-industrial cooperation between the countries, states political scientist Oleh Saakian in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
"A field for broader cooperation within this agreement is emerging, both with American corporations and specifically with the defense industry. Because now they are also interested in supplying weapons to Ukraine," Saakian noted.
According to him, the approval of exports, even for a symbolic amount, already creates a precedent.
"50 million is a tear drop. It’s a very small amount, and it's still unclear what’s involved. But the very precedent of Trump signing off on arms exports to Ukraine is already very good. The ice has broken," the expert believes.
In his view, this move could be seen as a signal to Moscow: "This could be a message to Moscow from him, that he is ready to take such steps."
He also suggested that this decision might have domestic political implications in the US.
"And of course, he (Trump - ed.) wants to ease tensions within the Republican Party, where a number of actions are disproportionate and favorable toward Putin, while pressure on Ukraine is now perceived almost as a betrayal of national interests. He needs to reduce this. And from there comes the willingness of both Republicans and Democrats to intensify sanctions against Russia," Saakian explained.
Trump team prepares first arms sale to Ukraine
Today, it was reported that the US State Department has submitted a notification to Congress regarding a license to export weapons to Ukraine. The contract is valued at $50 million or more.
US assistance for Ukraine
This would be the first weapons sale to Ukraine approved by the Trump administration. Since Trump’s return to the White House, no new military aid has been allocated to Ukraine.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that Trump’s team is not considering further military assistance to Ukraine, while the aid packages approved under President Joe Biden's administration are already running out.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is ready to purchase weapons and air defense systems from the US worth between $30 and $50 billion. This includes Patriot systems or obtaining a license for their production. He later instructed officials to secure US approval regarding the Patriots.
