Zelensky claims US holding up interceptor missiles for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Monday that the United States is deliberately delaying the delivery of interceptor missiles to Ukraine, deepening tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelensky accused Washington of intentionally slowing down the support for Ukraine, suggesting that some political decision was made to hold back the missiles.

The Ukrainian leader spoke to U.S. senators, stating that the Pentagon is delaying the shipment of missiles already paid for by European countries under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme. These missiles, which have already been paid for, are awaiting the signature of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and could be transferred from European stockpiles.

Zelensky also alleged that the U.S. was helping Russia by not warning Ukraine of incoming missile strikes and altering Ukraine's Starshield system, which is used for communications. The Ukrainian president emphasized that all of these factors suggest a political decision to slow down support for Ukraine. Trump, facing midterm elections next month where fuel prices are a major issue, has previously blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for the fuel price surge.