Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he spoke directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for 45 minutes on Tuesday to clear up what he called inaccurate media reports. Speaking to reporters in India, Rubio said everything the Department of War has been doing with Ukraine "remains the same," and that nothing has changed in US support. He added that nothing is being deliberately denied to Ukraine and that there has been no political directive to harm it. Zelensky described the call as "substantive," saying it covered missile interceptors, early warnings of Russian ballistic attacks and restrictions on Starlink and Starshield services.

The claims Rubio was answering came largely from Ukrainian officials, who have accused Washington of restrictions that hamper Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian missiles and make attacks deadlier. Rubio called the suggestion that Ukrainians are dying because the US is denying them information "scandalous" and untrue. He blamed missed warnings on Oct. 13 and Oct. 18 on a "technical matter" rather than any US order, and said that when Ukraine does not get interceptors, it is because the US has its own needs, not because it is denying them. Reports also note he acknowledged that US air defense missiles bought for Ukraine may not have been delivered. The call comes amid sharp public friction after President Trump said it was time for someone else to negotiate for Ukraine, and as US envoys were due to meet Zelensky in Oslo.