Speaking after talks with EU leaders at a summit in Brussels, Zelensky said the shortfall is no secret because Ukraine is not a priority destination for the deliveries. He said the bulk of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles has long been going to the Middle East, and that the munitions are assembled in various countries in small batches — sometimes one or two at a time, or five to ten.
Zelensky said that if strikes on the energy sector do not stop, Ukraine must receive interceptor missiles to protect energy infrastructure. He also said dozens of countries share intelligence with Ukraine, but only the United States can provide information about ballistic missile launches.
On Starlink, Zelensky said connection speeds are gradually recovering but have not yet returned to their previous level. He said the system is used to intercept drones, and that limiting bandwidth threatens the lives of civilians. He denied that Ukraine uses Starlink for strikes deep inside Russia. Reuters previously reported that the order to restrict Starlink for Ukraine came from the White House.
Zelensky said Kyiv is working with other partners, including France, on an alternative to the American system, though full replacement of Starlink is not yet under discussion.
Kyiv is discussing with Europe the creation of a separate track of dialogue with Moscow. According to Zelensky, European partners are taking steps to create a separate diplomatic channel that would represent Ukraine's interests first and foremost.
The president also said the U.S. and Ukrainian negotiating teams must agree on a meeting in the near future. He believes Russia is not currently ready to hold talks in any format, and asserts that Putin does not want the war to end.
A diesel fuel deal between the United States and Russia came as a surprise to Kyiv. Zelensky fears it could be followed by agreements on gas and a further weakening of sanctions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa said the EU will not weaken sanctions against Russia until the war ends and will continue to increase support for Ukraine.
Accounts differ: Current Time reports that Zelensky confirmed a significant missile shortage and discussed a separate track of dialogue with Moscow with Europe. Ekho also reports the Patriot missile shortage and writes that the munitions are assembled in small batches. TV Rain reports that Zelensky denied using Starlink for strikes deep inside Russia, while Reuters writes about an order from the White House to restrict Starlink.