Zelensky says US has not given concrete answer on Patriot missile interceptors, calls for energy ceasefire with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has not received a concrete answer from the US on whether it will receive more Patriot missile interceptors, which are vital for defending against Russia’s now daily aerial attacks.

He made the remarks to reporters after a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Asked about whether the US would take steps to ease Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot missiles, Zelensky said: “They are positive to help us, but I didn’t get the very concrete answer.”

Zelensky also said he hoped Russia’s war with Ukraine would end “before winter” and that US President Donald Trump would help Kyiv bring the fighting to an end.

The New York Times reported that during the meeting, Zelensky told Trump: “I hope we will end this war, and President Trump will help us end this war.” He added: “I think we need to do this as quick as possible - before winter.” Trump nodded and repeated his words with approval.

Zelensky said Russia is preparing another major attack on Ukraine based on Ukrainian intelligence, and Kyiv is working with allies to strengthen its air defences.

He argued that this makes any discussion about easing sanctions on Russia inappropriate while Ukraine remains under daily missile and drone threats.

“There’s intelligence right now that Russia is preparing a new massive attack against Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Reuters reported that Russia has recently changed its tactics, including using jet-powered drones that fly higher and are harder for Ukrainian air defences to intercept.

Zelensky also said Russia is making slow advances in eastern Donetsk, while Ukraine has been striking Russian targets, particularly oil facilities, deep inside Russia.

During meetings in New York, Zelensky discussed ending the war with Trump, including an “energy ceasefire” with Moscow.

The EU is set to remove sanctions imposed on two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, who were targeted after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

France pushed for Usmanov’s removal, citing “national security” concerns, while Luxembourg backed removing Fridman, who is challenging the freezing of his assets.

Ukraine has condemned the decision as “unacceptable”.

“Moscow is celebrating because it got what it wanted: a sense of impunity, the humiliation of the EU, and division among Europeans,” Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said on X.

Latvia initially opposed the move but agreed to abstain after securing concessions from France, including talks on French nuclear deterrence cooperation and a stronger French military presence in Latvia.

The EU agreed to extend sanctions on about 2,600 other individuals and entities for three years, rather than renewing them every six months.

A senior NATO commander has warned that Vladimir Putin is becoming “increasingly cavalier, dangerous and risk accepting”, as the Ukraine war continues and Russia seeks to weaken Western unity.

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, who serves as NATO’s deputy commander in Europe, said Moscow could try to test NATO through more aggressive actions, including sabotage and espionage.

He warned NATO members to be cautious in their response because, in his assessment, Russia could be trying to provoke the alliance into an “overreaction”.

He said that NATO members needed to be aware of the “febrile environment”.