UPDATE - Ukraine's Zelenskyy discusses air defense, ballistic missile warnings with Rubio

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM US SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, CHANGES DECK

By Elena Teslova and Yasin Gungor

MOSCOW/ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he discussed air defense supplies, ballistic missile warnings and the restoration of Starlink and Starshield services with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy described the phone call as "a substantive conversation."

"The first issue was interceptors against ballistic missiles, which are needed to protect lives. The second was early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, which is vital. The third was the situation surrounding Starlink/Starshield, which needs to be restored," he said.

Zelenskyy thanked Rubio for his willingness to help and what he described as a clear position.

He said the discussion took place against the backdrop of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

The two agreed to speak again soon to exchange updates, Zelenskyy said.

- Ukraine, Russia, and air interceptors

Commenting on the 45-minute discussion, Rubio told reporters in India that assertions of an intelligence pause were "just not accurate," affirming that US President Donald Trump "ordered no such changes" and that operational military cooperation with Kyiv remains unchanged.

Rubio explained that while Kyiv seeks to buy additional air defense interceptors, "so does every other country in the world," citing similar requests from Saudi Arabia and Israel for what he described as "the most in-demand product right now in the defense field." He emphasized that delays stem from production timelines, high manufacturing costs, and Washington's requirement to maintain baseline defense standards across its own military facilities, adding that there is "nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine."

Addressing assertions that strikes on Oct. 13 and Oct. 18 went undetected by Ukrainian early warning systems, Rubio dismissed claims that Washington withheld targeting data as "scandalous" and "outrageous." He clarified that the incident was a "technical matter" involving software rather than any deliberate American directive, noting that the US continues to provide standard advance warnings.

Rubio added that Trump is "angry and frustrated at the lack of progress in those negotiations after having dedicated almost two years" to diplomatic efforts. He stressed that the war must conclude to stop mounting casualties, devastating power grid damage, and Black Sea shipping disruptions that continue to strain global fuel markets.

Muhammed Yasin Güngör,Elena Teslova