Ukraine: Trump team admits Patriot missiles may not have been delivered
Missile delivery remains uncertain
Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that reports of undelivered interceptor missiles for Ukraine could be accurate. He told reporters there had been no deliberate political directive to harm Ukraine.
A source told Reuters that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had yet to approve the latest US weapons package bought through PURL. It was not clear whether the shipment contained Patriots.
Kyiv seeks renewed US engagement
Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo on Tuesday, as Ukraine tries to mend ties with Washington. Relations have worsened over the past two weeks while Donald Trump has increasingly engaged with Moscow.
Zelensky said he had discussed ballistic missile interceptors, advance warnings of Russian missile attacks and the Starlink and Starshield satellite systems with Rubio. Kyiv says Washington has restricted intelligence sharing and early warnings, and limited satellite links used to guide Ukrainian drones.
Trump criticises Ukraine’s approach
Trump has repeatedly criticised Zelensky and called for someone else to negotiate for Ukraine. On Monday, he said Russia had been “fine on Ukraine” and that Zelensky was “not helping matters much,” according to the article.
Trump has also waived sanctions on Russia, saying the move was intended to lower US fuel prices. Zelensky described the diplomatic efforts as taking place amid the war and continuing loss of life.
South Korea withdraws embassy staff
South Korea said on Tuesday it would remove additional staff from its embassy in Kyiv, citing Ukraine’s lack of constructive action on Seoul’s concerns and safety worries amid intensified Russian attacks. Seoul recalled its ambassador earlier this month.
The dispute followed Zelensky’s disclosure at the United Nations of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war. South Korea says the transfer was meant to remain secret and accuses Ukraine of breaching a nondisclosure agreement; Kyiv denies the two countries made such an agreement.
Key points
- Rubio said it could be accurate that interceptor missiles for Ukraine had not been delivered.
- A source said Pete Hegseth had not authorised the latest US weapons package purchased through PURL.
- It is unclear whether the shipment included Patriot missiles.
- Zelensky was due to meet US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo as Kyiv seeks to repair ties with Washington.