Zelensky Accuses US of Deliberately Delaying Patriot Missile Deliveries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the United States of intentionally delaying deliveries of air-defense interceptor missiles that NATO countries have already paid for. He made the claim during a video call with US senators, according to a transcript cited by the news outlet Axios. The allegation points to friction between Washington and Kyiv as Ukraine faces Russian missile attacks.

Zelensky said US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has deliberately withheld approval for deliveries of Patriot interceptors and of AIM-9X missiles, which are meant for NASAMS air defense systems. Kyiv, he said, has almost no American missiles left.

"All of this suggests that some political decision has been made to slow down support for us. We want to understand what is happening, why it's happening, and where all of this is heading," he told the senators.

Warnings and satellite services

Zelensky also repeated that over the past week Ukraine three times failed to receive US warnings about Russian ballistic missile strikes. In addition, the American satellite systems Starlink and its military version, Starshield, have been partially restricted.

Senators respond

Axios reported that members of both parties took part in the call. Republican Senator Thom Tillis said Congress "remains committed to standing with Ukraine and our European allies to end Russia's brutal aggression and secure lasting peace."

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal stressed that bipartisan support for Ukraine was "clear and unequivocal" and assured that senators would express it through their "upcoming action."