Zelensky accuses the US of delays in sending Patriot missiles, tensions between Washington and Kyiv deepen
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the United States of America of intentionally delaying the delivery of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems destined for Ukraine.
The statement comes at a time when relations between Kyiv and Washington are strained over military aid and intelligence sharing, while Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue.
Zelensky told US senators that the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles for which European countries have already paid. According to him, the shipment is awaiting the signature of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, writes Euronews.
He noted that several European countries are ready to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their stocks but have not yet received the necessary approval from the US.
"The missiles are ready and could already be in Ukraine. But, unfortunately, there is still no approval," Zelensky declared.
On the other hand, the United States has denied that it has changed its intelligence-sharing policies with Ukraine.
New clashes between Trump and Zelenskyy
Relations between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart have deteriorated further at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled.
Washington has shifted some of its attention toward the war with Iran, while efforts to end the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II have not produced the expected progress.
Public clashes between Trump and Zelenskyy have increased following the US president's decision to partially ease sanctions in order to reach a deal on diesel supplies with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump has also criticized Zelenskyy for Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, accusing him of contributing to the continuation of the war.
"Zelenskyy doesn't know what he's talking about," Trump declared on Monday, attacking his Ukrainian counterpart again.
"To be honest, I think it's time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine," the US president added.
Trump has stated that he is ready to meet with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month to discuss the issue of nuclear disarmament. He has left open the possibility that the talks could also include the war in Ukraine.
This has added to concerns in Kyiv that Ukraine could be left out of negotiations that determine its future.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the possibility of such a meeting has been mentioned, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned that such a meeting "would only encourage Putin to continue this war."
US envoy expected to meet with Zelenskyy
According to a report by the American media outlet Axios, White House envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to travel to Oslo on Tuesday, where he would meet with Zelenskyy and European leaders before continuing to Russia to meet with Putin.
These diplomatic developments come at a time when Kyiv is seeking stronger guarantees from Western partners, both for air defense and for the continuation of military support.
Meanwhile, Trump has denied ordering restrictions on the American satellite network Starshield, developed by Elon Musk's company SpaceX, after the latter stated that such a decision could only come from the White House.
Russian attacks leave hundreds of thousands without electricity
As diplomatic clashes continue, recent Russian attacks have again hit energy facilities and infrastructure in various parts of Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian authorities, more than 500,000 people have been left without electricity, forcing emergency teams to begin repairs on the energy grid damaged by repeated attacks.
Zelenskyy complained that Ukraine had not received prior warning from partners about the powerful Russian attacks, which also targeted energy facilities in the capital region.
"Once again, there was no prior warning from our partners," he declared, as he spoke about the damage, casualties, and the wounded.
Ukrainian authorities also announced that an attack near the city of Kharkiv, in the northeast of the country, killed six people, including three children.
On Monday, Zelenskyy also held a telephone conversation with Pope Leo XIV, a few days after the head of the Catholic Church had held a similar conversation with Putin.
According to the Vatican, the Pope called on both sides to allow the delivery of aid to the city of Oleshky, occupied by Russia, as well as to facilitate the evacuation of civilians from the area.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied during a visit to Uzbekistan that the US had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. He also supported Trump's call for Zelenskyy to focus on ending the conflict.
