US approves potential sale of weapons in Ukraine at million

Sales of HAWK air protection equipment will cost $172m, while Bradley infantry combat equipment will cost $150m, the US Department of Security and Co-operation Agency has announced.

HAWK equipment will improve Ukraine's capabilities to cope with the threats of the present and future”, this agency has said.

The U.S. State Department has approved sales, and the Department of Defense Agency has announced the US Congress, which should give its final approval.

US President Donald Trump has said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 14th that he plans to supply Ukraine with weapons worth <x0 billion billion dollars” which will buy the north-Atlantic alliances.

At the same time, Trump has given Russia a 50-day deadline to reconcile a ceasefire, or impose severe sanctions.

The adoption of potential sales of these weapons comes after the Pentagon has ordered suspension of other shipments to Ukraine to assess its reserves, despite Kiev facing continued attacks on fears and rockets.

The attacks have continued on July 23rd, as Russian forces have hit the Black Sea port of Odessa, spreading flames in residential buildings.

On the other hand, Ukrainian fears have hit Russian territories, killing one person and wounding another.

Russian aviation authorities have said they have suspended operations at Soci Airport for four hours.

The attacks occurred the same day Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners for negotiations held in Turkey.

No progress has been achieved at the meeting on the terms of the ceasefire, and the parties have not agreed on any meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.

“We have achieved progress in humanitarian terms and not for stopping hostilities”, Ukrainian delegation chief Rustem Umrov said after the meetings.

Russian side negotiator Vladimir Medinsky has reiterated calls for ceasefires 24 or 48 hours to enable the removal of soldiers' troops.

Ukraine has said it is interested in immediate and long-term ceasefire.

As for the exchange of prisoners, Medinsky has said negotiators have agreed to exchange over 1,200 prisoners of war from both sides, and that Russia has pledged to hand over 3,000 troops of Ukrainian soldiers.

Medinsky has said that even seriously injured individuals will be exchanged at the front of the war.

Zelensky has said all preparations for exchange are under way.

We're waiting for the return of our people home. It is very important that, despite all difficulties, the Ukrainians return home”, he said. / REL/ Periscopi/