U.S. Approves $311M F-16 Support Package for Ukraine in Shift in War Policy

The U.S. State Department on Friday approved a $311 million military assistance package aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet capabilities, signaling what may be a significant policy shift by the Trump administration following its withdrawal from peace negotiations with Russia.

According to a press release issued by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the package includes funding for pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and logistical and technical support related to the F-16s Ukraine has acquired. Spare parts and equipment to sustain operational readiness are also part of the deal.

The approval follows the circulation of social media videos showing F-16 airframes being loaded from an aircraft storage site in Arizona onto a Ukrainian An-124 cargo plane that later flew to Poland.

This announcement comes just days after the signing of a "Minerals Deal" between Washington and Kiev on Tuesday, under which the U.S. gained access to critical Ukrainian natural resources. Despite threats by President Donald Trump and his administration to abandon the peace process if a ceasefire wasn’t reached, recent moves indicate a re-engagement with Ukraine on military and strategic grounds.

On Thursday, the Trump administration requested congressional approval for an additional $50 million weapons sale to Ukraine. These developments, alongside Friday’s statement from State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirming the U.S. would no longer serve as a mediator, suggest a pivot back to a more active military support role—reminiscent of Biden-era policies.

Also on Friday, reports surfaced that the White House had finalized a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s gas and banking sectors. President Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether to sign the new sanctions into law.