Zelensky made the remarks during an online meeting with Senators Tom Tillis and Richard Blumenthal, according to a transcript obtained by Axios.
He said Hegseth has not approved the handover of interceptor missiles for Patriot air-defense systems and AIM-9X missiles for NASAMS systems. NATO countries have already paid for the deliveries under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, and one completed package is awaiting the Pentagon chief's signature, Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president said European partners are likewise waiting for US approval to send Kyiv interceptor missiles from their own stockpiles. In his assessment, the situation points to a political decision to slow support for Ukraine.
Citing Axios, Ukrainian forces encountered restrictions on the Starlink satellite internet service and its military version, Starshield, after talks in Miami on October 9. Zelensky said Kyiv had received no exhaustive explanation for the restrictions, which he said complicate the downing of Russian attack drones.
Zelensky also said Ukraine had three times in the past week failed to receive US warnings of Russian ballistic missile launches, and that Washington had offered no clear explanation.
He asked the senators to pressure the administration of Donald Trump to lift restrictions on the transfer of weapons and intelligence to Kyiv. He also said he was ready to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries for 30 days if Washington supplies Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine.
After the meeting, Tillis said Congress remains intent on supporting Ukraine and European allies in countering Russian aggression. Blumenthal stressed that bipartisan support for Ukraine was evident and promised that senators would demonstrate it through further action.
Commenting on the situation, Trump said the US continues to provide intelligence to Ukraine. He said he did not know who ordered the restrictions on Starlink but intended to find out. Trump also repeated his claim that Zelensky does not want to stop the war.