Ukraine awaits Patriot missiles as Trump-Zelenskyy rift widens

This morning, the Trump administration is reportedly holding up critical air defense missiles for Ukraine, as President Trump suggests someone else should negotiate on the country's behalf. The Washington Post reports Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has yet to approve the transfer of Patriot interceptor missiles that Ukraine needs to defend against Russian attacks. Some of the missiles would come from U.S. allies, but Washington must sign off before those countries can transfer American-made weapons. Hegseth hasn't rejected the transfers, but he hasn't approved them either. And Ukrainian officials say they're running dangerously low on the interceptors. The report comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky heads to Norway today for talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Jared Kushner is expected to join remotely. The meeting follows two weeks of growing tensions between Trump and Zelensky, including Trump's decisions to ease restrictions on Russian diesel and waive new sanctions on Moscow. And Monday, Trump suggested Ukraine needs someone else at the negotiating table. Zelensky doesn't know what he's talking about. Zelensky is a man that should have had this war settled a long time ago. If he would have listened to me, he would have made a much better deal a long time ago and he'd have a million people living from his side. And to be honest, I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine. Trump is also floating a possible meeting next month with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He says the main focus would be nuclear disarmament, though Ukraine could also be discussed. No meeting has been finalized.