Marco Rubio told Zelensky nothing is being deliberately denied to Ukraine, then admitted Patriot interceptors already paid for could be delayed

Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a 45-minute call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address growing tension between Kyiv and Washington. The conversation aimed to smooth over reports about intelligence gaps and potential interference with the Starshield satellite network. Rubio pushed back against claims that the current administration is withholding help from Ukraine, insisting that the American stance on the conflict remains steady.

As reported by the NY Post, Rubio spoke with reporters while in India to explain the contents of his discussion with the Ukrainian leader. He stated that he wanted to address what he described as inaccurate news reports regarding the partnership. He maintained that the Department of War is operating under the same rules as before. He also clarified that President Trump has ordered no changes to intelligence-sharing protocols.

Recent friction stems from claims by Ukrainian officials that they stopped receiving advance warnings from the United States regarding Russian ballistic missile attacks. Zelensky noted that Ukraine faced such fire three times in a single week without any heads-up. Rubio rejected the idea that these missing alerts were part of a political strategy. 

Rubio says it was a technical issue

He described the situation as a technical issue rather than a deliberate choice. He said, “I saw somebody associated with the Ukrainian government say that people in Ukraine are dying because the US is denying them information,” and added, “That’s scandalous, that’s outrageous. That’s just simply not true.”

Rubio stated that the lack of warnings resulted from technical snafus. He confirmed that the United States is providing the same warnings it has provided in the past. He also relayed that President Trump feels frustrated by the accusations. According to the Secretary of State, the president does not like being blamed for events that are not true.

Concerns also surfaced regarding the Starshield satellite internet network. Reports suggested that internet speeds dropped, which impacted drone operations. Both the administration and Elon Musk have denied that anyone implemented a deliberate slowdown.

Beyond these technical hurdles, the main topic for Zelensky involved the urgent need for Patriot interceptors. Ukraine reportedly ran out of these missiles last year, leaving the country vulnerable. Rubio acknowledged the shortage but argued that supply chain issues affect everyone. He explained that these interceptors are the most in-demand product in the defense field right now. 

He stated, “[What] President Zelensky has been talking about is that he’s been trying to buy interceptors, and I understand so does every other country in the world.” He further emphasized, “So when a country doesn’t get interceptors from the United States, it’s not because we’re denying. We have our own needs,” and concluded, “There’s nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine.”

Zelensky expressed gratitude on X for the communication and indicated that he plans to speak with the diplomat again soon. This call occurred just before an upcoming meeting in Oslo, Norway. Zelensky is expected to join European allies and President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, for peace talks.