Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the United States of deliberately stalling the delivery of interceptor missiles intended for Ukraine, igniting a public dispute with former President Donald Trump. Speaking to US senators on Monday, Zelenskyy claimed, “the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles” that have already been paid for by European countries through the prioritised Ukraine requirements list (Purl) program. He stated that the shipment is pending the signature of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
According to a White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the US continues to maintain dialogue with both sides in an effort to work toward ending the ongoing conflict. However, Zelenskyy expressed frustration at the situation, indicating that several European nations stand ready to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their stockpiles but are still waiting for US approval.
“All of this suggests that some political decision has been made to slow down the support for us,” Zelenskyy said, according to statements released by the Ukrainian presidency. The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration did not approve the transfer of the interceptor missiles to Ukraine.
Trump, in turn, has attributed rising fuel prices in the US to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, framing the issue as a significant topic ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. On Monday, he suggested, “Maybe it’s time for Zelenskyy to get somebody else to negotiate” in his discussions with Russia.
Zelenskyy further lamented the US's approach to decisions affecting Ukraine, including delays in arms shipments and restrictions on intelligence sharing, calling them “hard to explain.” Washington has denied any changes to intelligence-sharing protocols with Ukraine, despite Zelenskyy’s insistence that his country did not receive a warning from the US about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday evening.
The attack occurred around 11 PM, striking power plants in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat. Earlier, a Ukrainian government official confirmed to the Guardian that the US did not provide a warning about the missile strike. Zelenskyy reiterated the lack of forewarning on social media, stating: “Once again, Russia launched a ballistic missile attack in multiple waves throughout the night, and once again, there was no warning from our partners.”
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, as evidenced by a recent drone strike in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Authorities reported that six people, including young children, were killed when a Russian drone hit a park in Nova Vodolaga. Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a “pure atrocity,” noting that a one-year-old girl and her mother were among the victims.
In diplomatic developments, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Norway this week for ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. Two sources confirmed that Zelenskyy is expected to attend the Oslo meetings, which will also include Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and representatives from the E4 nations—comprising the UK, France, Germany, and Poland—as well as the EU and NATO.
Witkoff is also set to visit Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, with sources indicating that the schedules for these meetings remain tentative and subject to change. In another diplomatic note, Pope Leo held a phone call with Zelenskyy, urging both Ukraine and Russia to cooperate in allowing aid and food to reach Oleshky, a town that has been blockaded. The call took place three days after the pontiff requested a ceasefire from Putin to facilitate the delivery of aid.
As the war enters its 1,700th day, the stakes remain high, with military support and diplomatic negotiations at a critical juncture. The unfolding dynamics between Ukraine and the US, alongside internal US political pressures, continue to shape the landscape of this protracted conflict.
According to The Guardian.
