Zelensky links missile aid to ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday, November 1, that his country would stop attacking Russian refineries if the United States provided Patriot interceptor missiles. He made the remarks on the American channel Fox News, saying he had had "several different conversations" with U.S. President Donald Trump and his team about the issue.

Ukraine defends its military actions

Zelensky said Ukraine could not refrain from responding to Russian attacks on its energy sector, which have been killing civilians. He stated that if the U.S. wanted Ukraine not to attack Russian refineries, Russia must stop attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Alternatively, Zelensky said, the U.S. should provide Patriot missiles.

U.S. approved missile sale to Ukraine

The U.S. Department of State stated that the Trump administration had approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine. However, Zelensky warned that deliveries could take years, even as Ukrainian authorities have been warning for weeks about the exhaustion of their stocks.

Ukraine seeks immediate missile support

Last week, Zelensky suggested that his American and European allies could supply Ukraine with missiles from their own stocks, replenished subsequently through authorized purchases. He emphasized the urgency of receiving such support to continue defending against Russian attacks.

Ceasefire ends in Kherson region

On Sunday, the longest ceasefire since the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which had been in effect since Tuesday in the eastern region of Kherson, ended after Russia refused a proposal to extend it, according to Ukrainian officials. Talks under American mediation are expected to resume in early November, after having stopped when the United States and Israel launched their joint attack against Iran in February.