Washington withholds Patriot missile transfer approval for Ukraine

The Trump administration has not approved the transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, weapons Kyiv urgently needs to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks, according to US officials and three informed sources cited by the Washington Post. At least some of these missiles come from countries friendly to Ukraine, but their delivery requires approval from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as Washington retains control over these American-made weapons under agreements mandating consent before transfer to third parties. Hegseth has not formally rejected the transfers but has not completed the necessary approval procedures, while continuing to authorize other aid forms. The delay coincides with Trump's apparent rapprochement toward Russia and sharp criticism of Ukraine, as relations between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky deteriorate. Zelensky stated Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles without prior warning, while Trump claimed Zelensky is not helping improve matters and suggested someone else should negotiate for Ukraine.