US OKs possible sale of anti-tank weapons to Ukraine

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. State Department approved Thursday a possible sale of 150 Javelin missiles to Ukraine -- a sale Ukraine’s president was seeking in a July 25 telephone call with his U.S. counterpart.

The department approved the $39.2 million deal for the anti-tank missiles last week that also includes 10 launchers, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The Javelin missile system is produced by a joint venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

"The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today," the department said in a statement.

In the record of U.S. President Donald Trump’s call released by the White House last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed readiness to purchase more Javelins from the U.S. for defense purposes.

The House of Representatives began its impeachment investigation into Trump over accusations of using military aid as leverage to have Ukrainian officials to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, over unsubstantiated claims of corruption.

The elder Biden is the leading Democratic candidate heading into next year's presidential elections, making him a clear political rival to Trump. He has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining his call with Zelensky was "perfect."