Zelenskyy Accuses US of Delaying Patriot Missile Delivery
Ukrainian president says US is holding back missiles already paid for by European allies
Key facts
- Zelenskyy told US senators that the Pentagon is delaying delivery of Patriot missiles already paid for by European allies (DW, 2026-10-20).
- He said a shipment was waiting for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's signature before it could be sent to Ukraine (France 24, 2026-10-20).
- European countries had agreed to transfer Patriot missiles but were still awaiting US approval (Euronews, 2026-10-20).
- The United States denied any change to intelligence sharing with Ukraine (DW, 2026-10-20).
Zelenskyy addressed US senators on Monday, accusing the Pentagon of delaying Patriot missile deliveries that had been paid for by European allies. He said the shipment was ready but still pending the signature of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (DW, 2026-10-20; France 24, 2026-10-20).
He also noted that several European countries were prepared to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their own stockpiles, but the transfers were stalled until US approval (Euronews, 2026-10-20).
The president complained that Ukraine had not received early warning of Russian missile strikes that hit energy facilities in the capital region, cutting power to more than 500,000 households (DW, 2026-10-20; Euronews, 2026-10-20).
The United States has denied that it is withholding intelligence or changing its sharing policy with Ukraine, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that intelligence sharing had not been paused (DW, 2026-10-20).
President Donald Trump has criticized Zelenskyy, calling for a different negotiator for Ukraine and defended a diesel-supply deal with Russia (France 24, 2026-10-20; Euronews, 2026-10-20).
The dispute comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and a strained relationship between Kyiv and Washington over military aid and intelligence sharing (DW, 2026-10-20; Euronews, 2026-10-20).
Context
Ukraine has been receiving military aid from European allies, including Patriot missiles, to defend against Russian attacks that have repeatedly struck its energy infrastructure (DW, 2026-10-20; France 24, 2026-10-20).
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