Trump could hold up Patriot missiles for Ukraine until the US midterms
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
NATO fears the United States could delay Patriot interceptor deliveries to Ukraine until after the midterm elections. Washington is treating military aid as leverage over Kyiv, Euronews reports.
The outlet says Ukraine has asked US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to sign an agreement to supply critical air-defense systems.
However, the situation remains unpredictable, and NATO allies doubt the missiles will arrive before next week's US midterm elections.
Sources within the North Atlantic Alliance say US President Donald Trump is using military support and the supply of interceptors as leverage to pressure the Ukrainian government.
In particular, Washington tries to force Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and make concessions in peace negotiations.
Ukraine's air defense situation is becoming more difficult amid intense Russian attacks.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia has launched more than 100 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region in just two weeks.
Meanwhile, US manufacturers produce around 60 to 65 Patriot missiles per month.
Stockpiles are also being depleted by the conflict in the Middle East and the war against Iran, creating a global weapons shortage.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte previously urged European allies to transfer their existing Patriot systems to Ukraine.
However, countries such as Greece and Spain, which operate less advanced PAC-2 systems, have not yet responded to the call.
Germany, meanwhile, has received a license to manufacture PAC-2 missiles, but it does not expect the first deliveries until late 2026 or early 2027.
Meanwhile, earlier plans to establish licensed Patriot missile production in Ukraine remain blocked.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously said intelligence reports indicated that Russia was preparing new ballistic missile strikes against Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, the country urgently needs additional air and missile defense capabilities.
To counter Russian ballistic missiles, Kyiv is actively negotiating with international partners.
In particular, Ukraine has scheduled talks with the United States over delays in Patriot and NASAMS missile deliveries, as the country has been waiting nearly a month for the Pentagon chief to sign off on the shipments.
Ukraine is also waiting for Washington to agree on a date for a trilateral meeting with Russia, which could take place in the first half of November, as part of efforts to address defense issues and end the war.
