Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy claims US deliberately delaying interceptor missile deliveries to Kyiv

<p>Ukrainian president tells US senators the delayed missiles have already been paid for by European countries, amid growing rift. What we know on day 1,700</p><p><strong>Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the US is deliberately delaying deliveries of interceptor missiles to Ukraine</strong>, deepening a public spat with Donald Trump. Speaking to US senators on Monday, the Ukrainian president claimed that “the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles” already paid for by European countries under the prioritised Ukraine requirements list (Purl) program. According to Zelenskyy, the shipment is awaiting the signature of the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth. A White House official, who spoke to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/19/amid-deteriorating-relations-washington-holds-up-patriots-kyiv/">Washington Post</a> on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy, said the US “continues to play a constructive role in speaking to both sides in working towards bringing the war to an end”.</p><p><strong>Zelenskyy also said several European countries were ready to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their own stockpiles</strong> but were still awaiting US approval. “All of this suggests that some political decision has been made to slow down the support for us,” he said in remarks released by the Ukrainian presidency. The Washington ‌Post reported the Trump ⁠administration ​had not approved ⁠the ⁠transfer of the interceptor ‌missiles ‌to Ukraine.</p><p><strong>Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for soaring fuel prices</strong> that are a major issue in coming US midterm elections. “Maybe it’s time for ​Zelenskyy ‌to get ‌somebody else to negotiate” to end the war with Russia, Trump said on Monday. Zelenskyy said US decisions taken ⁠on the war – including delays in arms shipments and <a href="https