Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told US senators on Monday evening that the United States is deliberately slowing the delivery of promised weapons to Ukraine, amid a series of conciliatory gestures toward Russia by Donald Trump.
“All of this suggests that a political decision has been taken to slow down the support being provided to us,” Zelensky said, according to remarks relayed by the Ukrainian presidency.
Paid-For Missiles Awaiting Hegseth’s Signature
Zelensky said the Pentagon is holding up the delivery of missiles already paid for by European allies under the PURL program. According to him, the shipment is “awaiting the signature of (Pete) Hegseth,” the US defense secretary.
The Ukrainian president also said European countries are ready to supply Patriot interceptor missiles from their own stocks — the only systems capable of downing Russia’s more sophisticated weapons, of which Kyiv is in acute need — but are waiting for “American authorization.”
“The missiles are ready. They could already be in Ukraine. (…) But unfortunately, the authorization has still not been given,” Zelensky said.
Witkoff to Meet Ukrainian and Russian Leaders
The accusations come after Trump spent the past week publicly criticizing his Ukrainian counterpart and making a series of statements favorable to Russia. The US president has also said he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin.
Amid the mounting tension, Axios reported that US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Europe this week to meet separately with the Ukrainian and Russian leaders.
Talks with Zelensky, planned in Oslo, will bring together Ukraine, the United States and European countries including France “as they seek to develop a peace proposal to present to Russia,” the outlet reported, citing an anonymous US official.
The envoy is then due to travel to Russia, “where he hopes to meet President Vladimir Putin and present ideas to him,” according to the same source. The White House did not immediately respond to a request from AFP to confirm the trip.
Kyiv Questions Durability of US Support
Ukraine is questioning the durability of American backing after Trump’s criticism of Zelensky. “Honestly, I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” the US president said on Monday.
Kyiv has also raised concerns over restrictions on US intelligence sharing and limited connectivity to SpaceX’s Starshield network in some areas of the front line. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeated on Monday that there had been “no pause” in intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
