Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the United States on Monday of deliberately delaying the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles to his country, in an allegation that has sharply deepened tensions between Kyiv and Washington over military aid and intelligence sharing.

Speaking to US senators on Monday, Zelensky said "the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles" already paid for by European countries under the PURL (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) programme, and that the shipment was waiting for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's signature. "The missiles are ready, and they could already be in Ukraine," Zelensky said. "But unfortunately, there is still no approval." He said several European countries were ready to transfer Patriot interceptors from their own stockpiles but were still awaiting US approval, and suggested, in his words, that a political decision had been taken to slow down support. These are Zelensky's claims; Washington has not confirmed them.

Kyiv also said it received no early warning of powerful Russian missile strikes that hit energy facilities in the capital region. Russia's latest strikes knocked out power to more than 500,000 people, and a strike near the northeastern city of Kharkiv killed six people, including children, Ukrainian authorities said. The United States has denied making any changes to intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Uzbekistan on Monday, denied that intelligence sharing had been withdrawn.

President Donald Trump responded sharply on Monday. "Zelensky doesn't know what he's talking about," Trump said. "To be honest, I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine." Trump also denied ordering a reduction in speeds on the US government-controlled Starshield network.

Trump said he was ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in China next month to discuss denuclearisation, adding that talks could also cover the Ukraine war — fuelling fears in Kyiv that it was being sidelined. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the topic of such a hypothetical meeting had been mentioned. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said such a meeting would "only encourage Putin to continue this war". News outlet Axios reported that White House envoy Steve Witkoff was travelling to Oslo on Tuesday to meet Zelensky and European leaders, and then to Russia to meet Putin. AFP said it had contacted the White House for comment.

Sources: AFP (reported via France 24 and Morning Chronicle), Franceinfo, Reuters reporting on the proposed three-way meeting.