Hegseth Delays Approval of Patriot Interceptor Transfers to Ukraine: WP

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has not formally rejected the transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine but has so far declined to take the steps needed to approve them, according to The Washington Post. The delay, reported by the newspaper on Monday and relayed by Ukrinform, concerns weapons Ukraine needs to defend against Russian missile and drone strikes. The officials who described the situation spoke on condition of anonymity.

At least some of the interceptors would come from countries friendly to Ukraine. Because the missiles are manufactured in the United States and their export falls under specific restrictions, Washington retains control over whether they can be handed on to a third country, meaning Hegseth's sign-off is required. One U.S. official and three other people familiar with the matter said the transfers remain unapproved rather than blocked, and they noted that Hegseth continues to approve certain other forms of American assistance to Ukraine.

The hold on the Patriot approvals comes as Trump has shown growing support for Russia and sharpened his criticism of Ukraine in recent weeks, the report said. According to The Washington Post, Trump appears to be increasingly blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for high energy prices and for worsening political prospects before the midterm elections. Asked on Monday whether Washington still shares intelligence with Kyiv, Trump said: "We share intelligence. We share a lot. We've given a lot to Ukraine. You know what, we've given a lot to Ukraine. They've given nothing to us."

Ukraine has faced a critical shortage of Patriot interceptors since the summer. Stocks have been further strained by the U.S. war against Iran, and the country risks running critically low on the missiles every month, according to the report. Washington typically ships the interceptors in small batches, often only a few at a time as they leave the production line, while Ukrainian forces have spent months striking Russian oil refineries to increase pressure on the Kremlin.

A White House spokesperson, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States "continues to play a constructive role in negotiations with both sides, seeking to bring the war to an end." Zelensky has said previously that the U.S. Department of War was delaying certain types of critically important supplies to Ukraine.

The reported delay leaves the timing of any future Patriot deliveries unresolved. Neither Hegseth nor the Pentagon has publicly commented on the transfers described by the officials cited by The Washington Post.