Zelensky Says US Delaying Patriot Interceptors as Ukraine Faces Missile Shortages

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the United States of delaying Patriot interceptor missile deliveries financed through a NATO-coordinated initiative, leaving Ukraine's air defences critically short as Russian ballistic missile attacks continue. Zelensky claims Washington has approved only a portion of the missiles and that shipments have dropped sharply compared to the previous Biden administration. He has proposed suspending Ukrainian strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure in exchange for additional interceptors. The United States has not publicly confirmed the specific figures or provided reasons for the reported delays. The accusation highlights growing friction over the pace of Western military aid to Ukraine.