From technology to geopolitics: how the US restarted military cooperation with Ukraine
2 May 15:40
OPINION
U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the first $50 million arms supply to Ukraine through direct commercial procurement. The relevant document was published on the website of the US Congress.
The upper chamber of the House of Representatives received a notice from a senior official of the State Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs on the certification of the proposed license for the export of defense goods to Ukraine. The document was delivered to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the basis of the Arms Export Control Act.
“A communication from a senior officer in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs of the Department of State transmitting, pursuant to section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, certification of a proposed license to export defense articles, including technical data, and defense services to Singapore in an amount of $50,000,000 or more,” the document’s cover page reads.
Military expert Dmytro Snegiryov commented exclusively for [comersant ] on these steps by the United States to provide military and technical support to Ukraine. In particular, the analyst believes that it may involve the transfer of decommissioned F-16 fighters to be used as a source of spare parts.
“The decommissioned F-16 aircraft that are currently being loaded and transported to Rzeszow, Poland, is the first signal from the Trump administration to resume military-technical cooperation with Ukraine,” Snegirev said.
According to the US Air Force, these F-16s have been decommissioned, have no engines or radars, and cannot be restored to flight. However, they will become a source of spare parts for combat F-16s that Ukraine has received from European allies such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway.
“This is not just technical assistance, but a political signal. The amount of aid is symbolic, but it demonstrates the US willingness to support Ukraine. If Russia delays peace talks, Trump will fulfill his election promise to provide Ukraine with enough weapons to force Russia to the negotiating table,” the expert emphasized.
In addition, Snegirev drew attention to other possible aspects of cooperation:
“We are talking about providing satellite intelligence, training Ukrainian pilots in the United States to operate F-16s, and logistics services.”
It is worth noting that Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in Poland has become a key logistics hub for the delivery of Western military aid to Ukraine.
In this context, the possible transfer of decommissioned F-16s for spare parts is part of a broader US strategy to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities and a signal of readiness for further cooperation if necessary.
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Ukraine is allowed to buy weapons from the US: what you need to know about it
on May 2, 2025, Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk said that Ukraine had received the first positive signals from the United States after signing the Agreement on the establishment of a joint investment fund for reconstruction.
“The US Senate has received a message from the State Department authorizing the sale of $50 million worth of weapons to Ukraine. The most important thing now is that Russia’s words about the so-called readiness for a truce do not lull Europe and especially the United States,” said Kondratiuk.
According to the Vice Speaker, the Kremlin cannot be trusted. On the contrary, sanctions pressure against Russia should be increased.
Kondratiuk believes that Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness for a complete ceasefire and further peace talks. This cannot be said about Russia, which continues to shell Ukrainian cities and attack along the entire front line.
“Expectations for justice largely depend on the United States. Words alone are not enough here – we need actions and serious pressure on Russia,” summarized Olena Kondratyuk.
Political and military experts emphasize that the authorization was the first such decision of the Donald Trump administration after his return to the White House.
Key details of the deal
- Amount: at least $50 million.
- Form: Direct Commercial Sale, not military aid.
- Content: official documents do not disclose specific types of weapons, but the license includes the export of “defense articles, technical data and services.”
According to the U.S. State Department’s notification to Congress on April 29, the exports will be carried out under the Arms Export Control Act.
Relationship to the “mineral deal”
The signing of the agreement on joint development of mineral resources between the United States and Ukraine was a key factor in the approval of this deal. Under the terms of the agreement, the United States gains access to 57 types of Ukrainian mineral and energy resources, including oil, gas, and rare earth elements. Profits from these projects will be reinvested in Ukraine for the first ten years.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the agreement “historic” and emphasized that it represents an equal partnership that promotes investment, industrial modernization, and legal reforms in Ukraine.
Political context
This decision by the Trump administration marks a change in the approach to supporting Ukraine. Previously, arms sales had been suspended, and this approval was the first step toward resuming military cooperation between the two countries.
Instead, critics and Russian propaganda claim that the agreement obliges Ukraine to pay for military aid with its natural resources. However, Ukrainian officials emphasize that the document does not provide for the transfer of ownership of resources and does not create debt obligations for Ukraine.
Outlook
Although the current $50 million deal is relatively small compared to previous aid packages, it paves the way for future deliveries of more advanced weapons, including the Patriot air defense systems that Ukraine is seeking. The U.S. Congress is expected to consider and approve the deal in the near future.
