Zelenskyy urges President Trump to deliver interceptor missiles amid strained U.S. ties
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Italy's Corriere Della Sera that if President Trump cannot curb Russian attacks, the United States should provide interceptor missiles already purchased by European allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera that, should President Trump be unable to rein in Russian President Vladimir Putin, Washington should supply long-requested interceptor missiles to protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy made the appeal as the conflict with Russia continues to cause civilian casualties and as the United States and Kyiv experience heightened diplomatic tension.
The president noted that Ukraine is running low on U.S.-made Patriot air-defense interceptors and that deliveries of missiles already paid for by European allies have been delayed. He added that the United States has also limited access to the Starshield satellite system, which Ukraine relies on to counter Russian drones.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in India, said President Trump is frustrated by accusations that the administration is deliberately harming Ukraine. Rubio emphasized that there is no deliberate political directive to withhold interceptors, noting that many countries, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, are also seeking the same defense equipment.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Norway, with President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner expected to join remotely. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Finnish President Alexander Stubb will also attend, aiming to move diplomatic efforts toward a more constructive path.
President Trump recently eased some sanctions on Russian energy sales and has publicly questioned Ukraine’s strategy, suggesting a new negotiator might be needed. He has not acknowledged Russia’s role in starting the 2022 invasion.
In his remarks to the Italian press, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s relationship with the United States is built on "honesty, fairness, and transparency," and warned that continued strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure without adequate defensive support would be "painful" for both nations.