Ukraine has waited nearly a month for US to sign off on Patriot missiles, Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy says Ukraine is still awaiting approval for Patriot and NASAMS interceptor transfers as Russian attacks intensify, with only 24 interceptors delivered in 90 days, he said.
- On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Ukraine has waited nearly a month for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to sign off on critical Patriot and NASAMS missile supplies as Russia escalates attacks on energy infrastructure.
- Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated after President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia and criticized Kyiv for striking Russian refineries, which Trump blamed for raising fuel prices.
- Patriot systems remain the only reliable defense against advanced Iskander-M, Kinzhal, and Zircon missiles; while Starlink access recently returned, the critical interceptor shortage persists as winter approaches.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed the United States wants Ukraine to have the "most possible" interceptors, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted nothing was "being deliberately denied to Ukraine."
- Zelenskiy is pursuing multiple supply channels including Europe to secure 300 interceptors required for winter, and he instructed his team to re-engage Washington regarding the stalled approvals.
121 Articles
121 Articles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking the United States and its European partners to help protect the country's skies this winter by providing more air defense missiles. He thanks Washington for its decision to allow the purchase of PAC-3 missiles, but says the process is moving too slowly, as it would take years for the country to receive them, even though they are needed now.
The Trump administration confirmed the sale of missiles for Patriot, at a cost of $2.1 billion.
NATO allies are pessimistic about the chances that Ukraine will receive the urgently needed Patriot interceptor missiles ahead of next week's US midterm congressional elections, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
Ukrainian air defence "is experiencing difficulties" in reflecting Russian ballistic missile strikes, while the Trump administration is delaying the delivery of missiles to Patriot complexes.
US may postpone delivery of Patriot missiles to Ukraine until elections - media <p>NATO allies fear that the US will postpone the transfer of Patriot missiles to Ukraine until the November 3 midterm elections. Kyiv is waiting for a signature Hegset.</p>
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