Zelensky says Pentagon is delaying Patriot missiles paid for by European allies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles that Ukraine's European allies have already paid for. He was speaking to US senators, according to DW, France 24 and the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Zelensky said one shipment was waiting only for the signature of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He said European allies were ready to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their own stocks but were still awaiting US approval. "The missiles are ready, and they could already be in Ukraine. But unfortunately, there is still no approval," he said, according to DW and France 24.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a response from the Pentagon, Hegseth or the White House. They do not state how many missiles are involved, their value, or which countries paid for them. The payment and the pending signature rest on Zelensky's account.

Overnight strikes

Russian missile strikes overnight from Sunday to Monday hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure and caused power outages. Ukrainian officials said Ukraine again received no early warning from its partners. DW quoted Zelensky as writing on Telegram: "Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners."

According to DW, several ballistic missiles struck Kyiv and its surroundings. Authorities quoted by France 24 said six people, including three children, were killed in a strike near the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

Wider tensions

The Trump administration has eased or partially lifted sanctions on Russia in connection with a diesel deal between Washington and Moscow. On Monday, US President Donald Trump defended the deal and criticized Zelensky. "Zelenskyy doesn't know what he's talking about. To be honest, I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine," Trump said, according to DW and France 24.

Starshield is a military satellite network developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX and controlled by the US government. According to DW, Ukrainian military communications and drone operations depend on its data.

What is disputed

DW reported that more than half a million households lost electricity. France 24 reported that more than 500,000 people lost power.

What each side says

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington has not paused or withdrawn intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
• Trump denies ordering restrictions on Starshield. France 24 describes this as a denial that he ordered reduced network speeds. Musk said such an order could only have come from the White House, according to France 24.
• According to France 24, Trump said he was ready to meet Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in China next month. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "the topic of such a hypothetical has indeed been mentioned". Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said such a meeting would "only encourage Putin to continue this war". The reports do not indicate whether a meeting has been scheduled.

Analysis

The dispute links several issues: air defence supplies, sanctions policy, intelligence sharing and access to satellite communications. If the Patriot shipment is approved soon, the immediate dispute may ease. A longer delay could raise questions in Europe about how much control Washington keeps over weapons that allies have paid for. Without a response from the Pentagon, the reasons for any delay remain unclear. Claims about early warning and Starshield also lack independent verification. Statements from US senators or European governments could clarify the facts.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.