Trump's first military shipment to Ukraine is spare parts for F-16s, likely because Ukraine never flew the the old rebuilt F-16's Europe gave them, aside from launching a missile at an uncontested promontry of land. Ukraine doesn't have the pilots to fly them and it doesn't have the modern/pristine air strips and air defenses needed to protect them. I believe some were already blown up parked on runways.
It's almost Trump trolling because Zelensky asked for these materials a long time ago and now that there's little of the 'fleet' left (I think about 6 were originally delivered to Ukraine by NATO), Trump sends the old dead F-16's for parts.
U.S. Sends Non-Flying F-16 to Ukraine as First Military Sale Under Trump Looms
ransomnote: I hope someone can post a 'real' article from the government because I don't trust media. I get an error message when I try to load a government article here:Also, I see in the excerpt below that these are funds Biden already appropriated (pushed through before Trump took office) and which I think Trump can't reverse. Ah but the press and the agitators are claiming Trump 'supports the war'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Reuters via FreeMalaysiaToday press: US state dept okays possible arms sale to Ukraine03-May-2025, 08:07Reuters
WASHINGTON:This sale is an actual weapons deal whose principal contractors include Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, BAE Systems and AAR Corporation, the Pentagon said.
The US state department has approved the potential sale of F-16 training and sustainment, along with related equipment, to Ukraine for US$310 million, the Pentagon said on Friday.
Days before the deal, Ukraine and the US signed a deal heavily promoted by US President Donald Trump, to give the US preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and fund investment in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Ukraine has previously received F-16 jets from US allies under a jet transfer authorised by former President Joe Biden’s administration. Trump has not been as eager to assist Kyiv with weapons support, instead relying on transfers authorised by Biden.