The key facts

  • The Trump administration has delayed approval of the transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, The Washington Post reports.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegset has not formally rejected the transfers but has not completed the necessary approval procedures.
  • A Ukrainian official said Ukraine's stockpiles contain only a 'couple' of Patriot interceptor missiles.

Delay in approving Patriot transfers

The administration of US President Donald Trump has delayed approval of the transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, which are needed to repel Russian missile and drone attacks, The Washington Post reported on Monday, citing American and other officials familiar with the situation.

The Pentagon's position

According to the outlet, Defense Secretary Pete Hegset has not formally rejected the proposed transfers, but has so far not taken the necessary steps to authorize them. The newspaper notes, citing one American official and three other informed sources, that at least part of the Patriot interceptor missile transfers come from countries friendly to Ukraine, and such transfers require Hegset's approval. At the same time, the outlet notes, Hegset continued to approve some American aid to Ukraine, indicating that the delay with the missiles does not necessarily mean a complete halt to American support.

Missile shortage and context of relations

A Ukrainian official told The Washington Post last week that Ukraine's stockpiles contain only a 'couple' of Patriot interceptor missiles, underscoring concern about the availability of ammunition for the country's air defense systems. The delay comes amid a new escalation of tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and an overall deterioration in relations between Washington and Kyiv. According to the outlet, Trump has repeatedly criticized the Ukrainian president in recent days.