Washington announces new military support for Ukraine worth $825 million amid Russian escalation

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced its approval of a new arms deal for Ukraine worth approximately $825 million, in a move aimed at enhancing Kyiv's defensive capabilities in the face of Russian escalation, amid stalled U.S. efforts to reach a peaceful settlement to the ongoing three-year conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

The U.S. Department of State revealed in an official statement issued yesterday, Thursday, that it has notified the U.S. Congress of its intention to proceed with the sale of long-range missiles and advanced navigation equipment to Ukraine, as part of a deal that includes 3,350 ERAM missiles (Extended Range Attack Missiles), 3,350 GPS units (Global Positioning System), along with spare parts, technical accessories, training programs, maintenance, and technical support.

The department clarified that Kyiv will fund the deal through direct military support from the United States under the Foreign Military Financing program, in addition to contributions from NATO partners, specifically Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that "this deal will contribute to supporting the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of an ally and partner that is a pivotal element in the political stability and economic advancement of Europe."

The announcement of the deal comes amid ongoing Russian escalation of attacks on Ukrainian territory, despite a meeting between President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this August, in a failed attempt to push for a negotiated settlement to end the conflict that has persisted since 2022.

The new deal reflects a clear shift in Washington's strategy, which has begun to lean towards enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities, at a time when political negotiation channels seem to have reached a dead end.