Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told US lawmakers Monday, Oct. 19, that Ukraine had nearly exhausted its US-supplied Patriot interceptors and offered to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries for 30 days in exchange for American air defense assistance.
“We have almost no Patriot interceptors left from the United States batch,” Zelensky warned.
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The shortage comes as Russia intensifies ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, with Zelensky reporting 16 ballistic missiles and six cruise missiles launched during the latest overnight assault.
“We could stop striking Russian oil refineries for 30 days, and in return, we would expect America to help us protect our skies for those same 30 days – just 30 days – specifically with Patriot interceptors,” Zelensky said.
“That would be fair, I’m sure, but unfortunately, we have not heard any willingness to help with this option either.”
The proposal follows an earlier Ukrainian offer for a reciprocal energy ceasefire, under which Kyiv would stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow halted strikes on Ukrainian electricity infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected that proposal, according to Zelensky.
Putin Rejected Energy Ceasefire, Zelensky Says
Zelensky said Ukraine had already demonstrated its willingness to halt attacks on Russian oil facilities at US President Donald Trump’s request, suspending strikes for several days.
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However, Russia continued targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure throughout that pause, he said.
“We didn’t attack Russian oil facilities for several days, but the Russians kept attacking our energy infrastructure anyway,” Zelensky told lawmakers.
The Ukrainian president said Kyiv had repeatedly offered to stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow agreed to halt strikes on Ukrainian power facilities.
“Let the Russians stop attacking our electricity. We will stop hitting their oil refineries. This could work,” Zelensky said.
“As we understand it, Putin refused.”
Kyiv subsequently proposed the alternative 30-day arrangement, under which it would suspend refinery strikes in return for American assistance with Patriot interceptors.
Zelensky thanked members of Congress who had raised the idea but said Washington had yet to indicate any willingness to support it.
The proposal comes after Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian energy exports, including a controversial diesel agreement with Putin.
Pentagon Delays Missiles as Patriot Stocks Run Low
Zelensky said the shortage of Patriot interceptors had become particularly dangerous as Russia intensified ballistic missile attacks, including strikes targeting power facilities ahead of winter.
Zelensky said the Pentagon was delaying shipments of missiles already purchased by European countries through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program.
According to the Ukrainian leader, a new missile package was awaiting approval from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while European allies seeking to transfer interceptors from their own stockpiles were also waiting for American authorization.
“The missiles are ready, and they could already be in Ukraine,” he said. “But unfortunately, there is still no approval.”
The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration had not approved several planned transfers of US-made Patriot interceptors from allied countries.
Patriot systems are among Ukraine’s most important defenses against Russian ballistic missiles, and delays in replenishing their ammunition could leave cities and critical infrastructure increasingly exposed.
Zelensky Suspects Political Decision to Slow US Support
The Ukrainian president suggested the Pentagon’s delayed approvals were part of a broader pattern of unexplained restrictions on American military assistance.
He cited reduced Starlink and Starshield satellite capabilities and repeated failures to receive advance American warnings of Russian ballistic missile launches.
“All of this suggests that some political decision has been made to slow down support for us,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine had received no early warning before the first wave of the latest Russian ballistic missile attack, the third such incident within a short period, according to Zelensky.
As Kyiv Post previously reported, Zelensky raised the missing warnings and satellite restrictions during his conversation with US lawmakers, saying Washington had provided no clear explanation.
The Trump administration has denied suspending intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
Zelensky said the unexplained decisions were particularly troubling as Ukrainian forces continued regaining territory.
He said Ukraine had recaptured 245 square kilometers in Donetsk region during Operation Revival and another 876 square kilometers in the Oleksandrivka sector.
“We are taking back more of our territory than the Russians are able to capture,” Zelensky said.
Kyiv Seeks Answers Ahead of Possible US Talks
Despite the disagreements, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine remained grateful for American support and was seeking to resolve the disputes through continued diplomatic engagement.
He said he had discussed the situation with Trump’s representatives on Sunday, Oct. 18, and hoped to meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Norway in the coming days.
“We want to understand what is happening, why it’s happening, and where all of this is heading,” Zelensky said.
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