Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Kyiv has resumed receiving early warnings from allied partners about incoming missile attacks, after a period during which such alerts were limited or delayed. Zelensky emphasized the importance of these warnings in protecting civilians and military personnel, noting that timely intelligence allows for public alerts and missile interception efforts. The improvement came after discussions with U.S. officials, including a phone call earlier in the day with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Speaking during a visit to Norway, Zelensky expressed gratitude to the United States for restoring the intelligence-sharing protocols. “We are thankful that intelligence works now, and I’m speaking about early warning, which is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” he said.
The renewed intelligence support comes amid a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. Officials reported at least nine fatalities from recent strikes targeting civilian areas. Zelensky continues to appeal for increased military and diplomatic backing from the United States and European nations to counter Moscow’s ongoing offensive, which will reach its fifth anniversary in February.
During the Norway visit, Zelensky was accompanied by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been engaging with both sides in a bid to restart peace talks. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also met with Zelensky in Oslo. Støre indicated that Witkoff planned to travel to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to present proposals originating from the Norwegian meeting and from European and American officials.
“Today was a good day for peace,” Stubb said, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts.
On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow remains open to new U.S. proposals concerning Ukraine but tempered expectations by saying he does not anticipate any “miracle” from Washington.
Zelensky has raised concerns over a perceived slowdown in U.S. military support, a claim partly attributed to strained relations between him and U.S. President Donald Trump. Following a meeting with a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Monday, Zelensky suggested political decisions might be influencing the pace of assistance.
Ukraine is reportedly running low on American-made Patriot missile interceptors, which are critical for defending against Russian ballistic attacks. Zelensky also underscored delays in the delivery of missiles that other nations have purchased on Ukraine’s behalf. He appealed to Rubio for continued intelligence sharing and assistance, particularly after recent missile strikes caught Ukraine off guard.
Additionally, Zelensky highlighted ongoing restrictions on Ukraine’s operational use of Starshield, a military-grade variant of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, which he said hampers battlefield communications.
Responding to accusations of reduced U.S. support, Rubio, who was en route to India on an official trip, denied any change in Washington’s commitment to Kyiv. “Nothing has changed,” he told reporters, affirming that assistance remains steady.
Zelensky criticized President Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Russia, arguing it aids President Vladimir Putin’s ability to continue the invasion. Despite tensions, Zelensky described his exchange with Rubio as “substantive” and expressed appreciation for the American official’s willingness to assist.