Ukraine awaits US approval for Patriot missiles
President Zelensky says Washington has been holding up a delivery of air-defence missiles for almost a month.
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According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has been waiting for almost a month for US approval for new missiles for Patriot and NASAMS systems. He says Kyiv has raised the issue again with the US government, as Russia intensifies its attacks on energy supplies and civilian targets.
Zelensky wrote on social media on Monday that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth still has to authorise the delivery. He said the missiles are for Patriot and NASAMS air-defence systems. Ukraine says the need for interceptor missiles is growing as winter approaches.
According to Reuters, the missiles are being bought for Ukraine by NATO countries through the so-called PURL programme. The United States then supplies or authorises the transfer of US-made munitions. Which countries are waiting, and how many missiles are involved, has not been made public.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that a consignment of interceptor missiles might not yet have been delivered. According to Rubio, the delay was not political. A separate decision by Hegseth has not been explained in public sources.
Patriots are intended, among other things, to intercept ballistic missiles. NASAMS systems protect against other types of airborne targets. Ukraine uses both systems to defend cities and infrastructure, but available stocks are limited and new production takes time.
The issue once again exposes tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Ukraine is calling for faster military support, while the US government is simultaneously seeking to reshape its involvement in the war and its relations with Russia. It is unclear when the requested approval will be granted.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Zelensky says that US approval for the missiles is still pending.
- Rubio has said that a consignment of interceptors might not have been delivered.
- The precise size and reason for the delay have not been publicly confirmed.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that Ukraine must be able to defend itself and that allies must not delay their promised support because of political hesitation.
Values International solidarity, protecting civilians and the responsibility of powerful allies.
Consequences Fears that delays will cause more damage to Ukrainian cities and infrastructure and strengthen Russia's position.
Centre
Arguments Wants support for Ukraine to continue, but with clear procedures, oversight of stocks and coordination between allies.
Values Institutional reliability, proportionality and managing the risk of escalation.
Consequences Emphasises that rapid deliveries are necessary, but that uncertainty over numbers and authority must first be resolved.
Right
Arguments Emphasises national control over US weapons and the question of which military and financial commitments the United States should still undertake.
Values National sovereignty, security and restraint regarding long-term foreign involvement.
Consequences Fears that unlimited support will prolong the war or draw the United States further into a direct conflict.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based on a Reuters report of 26 October and supplemented with AP context. The numbers, countries involved and formal reason for the delay remain rightly described as unknown or not publicly disclosed.
- confirmed Zelensky says Ukraine has been waiting nearly a month for US approval for missiles for Patriot and NASAMS systems. — Reuters reports this on the basis of Zelensky's statement of 26 October. source
- confirmed Marco Rubio said that a consignment of interceptor missiles might not have been delivered. — Reuters mentions this statement as context. source
- confirmed The PURL programme concerns missiles bought for Ukraine by NATO countries. — Reuters describes this arrangement in the same report. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Zelensky reported the delay publicly and that Rubio had earlier spoken about a consignment that might not have been delivered. The precise size of the delivery and the reason for the formal delay have not been publicly confirmed.Sources
- Ukraine has waited nearly a month for US to sign off on Patriot missiles, Zelenskiy says — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Zelenskyy says early warning system for Russian missile attacks resumes following call with Rubio — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „oekraïne luchtverdediging”
- RTL Nieuws — „oekraïne luchtverdediging”
- NOS — „oekraïne luchtverdediging”