US State Department backs $165 mln ammunition sale for Ukraine

The US State Department said on Monday that it supported the approval of a possible sale of $165 million worth of ammunition to Ukraine in order to help the war-torn country defend itself against the Russian invasion.

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The Ukrainian government asked to buy various rounds of so-called non-standard ammunition, the state department said in a statement, referring to ammunition that does not comply with NATO standards.

“The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to Ukraine” of the weapons which included rockets, grenades, and mortar rounds.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the statement read, adding that the proposed sale would improve Ukraine’s capability to meet “current and future threats” posed by the war.

The sale will not have an adverse impact on US defense readiness, the department said.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what it calls a “special military operation.”

With Reuters

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