On October 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised concerns about problems with the US missile early-warning system and restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield services on the front line during an online meeting with members of the US Congress. He also proposed a new arrangement under which Ukraine would halt strikes on Russian oil refineries in exchange for air defence assistance.
The Office of the President of Ukraine reported the meeting.
During the online meeting with a bipartisan delegation from the US Senate and House of Representatives, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had failed to receive warnings from its American partners about incoming ballistic missiles on three occasions. In particular, no warning was issued ahead of the first wave of Russian strikes overnight on October 18–19.
“This is already the third time in a short period that we have not received such a warning about ballistic missiles. And we have not received any clear explanation from our partners, our strategic partners, from Washington, as to why this is happening,” the president stressed.
Zelenskyy also reported speed restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield services along various sections of the front line. According to him, these restrictions are complicating logistics, Ukrainian medium-range strikes and efforts to counter Russian Shahed drones, particularly jet-powered variants. Ukraine still does not know the reasons behind the restrictions.
Air defence was another key topic. The two sides discussed accelerating deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems under the PURL programme.
Zelenskyy recalled that Ukraine had supported Donald Trump’s proposal for an energy ceasefire, but Russia continued its attacks. Vladimir Putin also rejected a proposal to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in exchange for an end to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Ukraine then proposed an alternative arrangement to the United States.
“We could stop strikes on Russian oil refineries for 30 days. In return, we would expect America to help us defend our skies for those same 30 days — just 30 days — specifically with interceptor missiles for Patriot systems,” Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, Ukraine has received no indication that the United States is prepared to support the proposal.
During the meeting, Zelenskyy also described a Russian attack on the Kharkiv region that killed six people, including a mother and her child, who was just over a year old. The president stressed that Russia was preparing further strikes for the winter and had no plans to end the war.
Turning to the situation on the front line, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces were conducting offensive operations and recapturing more territory than Russian troops were able to seize.
The president also briefed members of Congress on his contacts with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and thanked them for supporting Lindsey Graham’s sanctions bill, which has yet to come into force. US congressional representatives reaffirmed their support for efforts to end Russia’s aggression.
