White House Blocks Third-Country Transfer of "Patriot" Missiles to Ukraine, Pentagon Remains Ambiguous
According to reporting by The Washington Post citing unnamed sources, U.S. authorities have not approved the transfer of "Patriot" system missiles from a third country to Ukraine. The report states: “The U.S. government has not authorized the transfer of intercept missiles to Ukraine.”
A separate source indicated that the Pentagon has also failed to provide necessary authorization for third countries to transfer Patriot air defense system missiles to Ukraine. The Post noted that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “has neither formally rejected the transfer nor taken the required steps to approve it.”
Earlier on the same day, Axios reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told U.S. senators on Monday that Ukraine’s Patriot air defense systems were nearly out of ammunition, attributing the shortfall to Hegseth’s alleged opposition to supplying intercept missiles.
This development comes amid criticism of Zelenskyy by Donald Trump. On the previous day, Trump accused the leadership in Kyiv of having no intention to end the conflict with Russia and suggested that Ukraine seek a representative more willing to compromise—echoing earlier remarks in which he stated that Ukraine needs a leader capable of reaching an agreement with Moscow.
Russia maintains that arms deliveries to Ukraine hinder conflict resolution, describing them as “playing with fire.” The Kremlin has previously asserted that increased Western military support for Ukraine does not advance negotiations and risks triggering adverse consequences.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1879553880476736/
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