US approves $2.1bn sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine after Kyiv accused the Pentagon of delaying deliveries

Ukraine's allies in Europe and Canada will foot the entire $2.1bn bill through the JUMPSTART programme and EU loan financing, with Lockheed Martin named as the principal contractor and no American funds involved. The approval comes after Zelensky publicly accused the Pentagon of sitting on critical missile supplies for nearly a month, leaving Ukraine's air defences critically depleted ahead of winter.

Russia struck two Ukrainian regions with ballistic missiles on Friday, the very day the sale was approved, Zelensky said.

Zelensky had also accused Washington of throttling Starlink speeds and cutting intelligence warnings of incoming Russian attacks, though Ukraine says both have since been restored.

The deal follows a bitter public row between Trump and Zelensky this week, with Trump calling for Ukraine to install new leadership to pursue an end to the war.