Zelenskiy says US decisions on Ukraine hard to explain

| October 20, 2026

Residents of the Ukrainian town of Oleshky have reported a deepening food crisis.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says decisions taken by the United States on the ‌war in Ukraine, including delays in arms shipments and restrictions on intelligence sharing, ‌were “hard to explain”.

“Because it all comes down to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s refusal to ‌end this war, and to decisions on the American side that are hard to explain between friends,” Zelenskiy said in a meeting with a US congressional delegation.

The meetings come amid increased tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

Ukraine alleges the speed of its Starshield military-grade satellite ‌system, owned by ‌SpaceX, was reduced ⁠by a US policy decision and the US has limited intelligence sharing and delayed delivery of Patriot air defence missiles.

“All of this suggests that some political decision has been made to slow down support for us,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video posted on Monday on Telegram.

Thank you, @SenBlumenthal and @SenThomTillis, for the opportunity to meet with you and your colleagues from both parties and both chambers of Congress. I informed them about Russia’s brutal “shahed” drone attack in the Kharkiv region, where Russia killed six people, including a mother and her child, who was just over a year old. I showed the horrifying photos from the scene – a child killed in a stroller… This is how Russia responds to sanctions waivers and reduced pressure. I also explained where things stand with intelligence sharing and Starlink operations in Ukraine. Unfortunately, we received no early warning from our partners about the first wave of the Russian ballistic missile attack last night. And we still face speed restrictions on Starlink and Starshield services in different parts of the front. No explanation for either of these issues has been provided to Ukraine by the American side. Our teams will follow up on everything discussed today. I thank everybody who participated in this call for their strong support.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 19, 2026

Meanwhile, US President ‌Donald Trump said he thought ‌someone other than Zelenskiy should negotiate on Kyiv’s behalf as it seeks to end the war with Russia.

“Maybe it’s ‌time for ‌Zelenskiy ⁠to get somebody else to negotiate,” said Trump, who on October 10 had called for Ukraine to replace the President.

Trump also told ⁠reporters ‌that Russia has been “fine” with regards to Ukraine.

“They haven’t been ‌doing much,” he said.

Zelenskiy said that on three occasions in the past week, Ukraine had not received the advance warning of an attack generally provided ⁠by its partners.

“We also know that, ‌unfortunately, the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles that our partner have already paid ‌for through the PURL programme,” he said on X.

He said one missile package was waiting for signature by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Zelenskiy also shared details of “a horrific Russian strike” in the Kharkiv region.

“A “shahed” struck people directly – in a park near an ordinary café. Pure atrocity. Six people were killed, including children. A little girl was killed in a stroller,” he said on X.

A horrific Russian strike in the Kharkiv region. A “shahed” struck people directly – in a park near an ordinary café. Pure atrocity. Six people were killed, including children. A little girl was killed in a stroller – her name was Angelina, she was just over a year old, born in August 2025… Her mother’s name was Inna. She died in the hospital… Another girl who was killed was 11 years old. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Another 14 people were injured, including six more children. I am grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine under these circumstances and helps us shoot down “shaheds,” shoot down missiles, and stop Russian assaults. These are horrific photos, but behind them are shattered lives and the truth about this war. Lives must be protected. Ukraine needs air defense. You can’t think about making money with Russia as long as it continues its asinine war. We ask that sanctions on Russia stay in place as long as the killings continue. We ask America to be strong, and we ask it to apply the Lindsey Graham law. We ask Europe to continue its support. We ask that everything possible be done to bring peace and guarantee security. Ukraine wants peace. It is Russia that has insisted on continuing the killing all this time. The world has enough strength to stop the war. That strength must finally be used – against the murderers.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 19, 2026

Zelenskiy said ‌Ukraine was willing to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries for 30 days if Washington supplied Ukraine with interceptors for the Patriot anti-missile system.

He he hoped a Ukrainian delegation would meet in the coming days with US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff ⁠and Jared Kushner in Norway.

Reuters reports Witkoff and Kushner are set to travel to Norway this ‌week for negotiations on ending the war in ‌Ukraine, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Two of the people said they expected Zelenskiy to attend the meetings.

The people, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the schedule is tentative ‌and could ‌change.

Reuters

Zelenskiy says US decisions on Ukraine hard to explain

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