Zelenskyy, Trump talk air defense as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a crucial and fruitful phone call with President Donald Trump on Friday, discussing various topics related to strengthening Ukrainian air defenses and joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine. In a statement, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of the call and expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the U.S. in protecting lives and safeguarding freedom and independence in Ukraine.

“We have achieved a lot together with America and we support all efforts to stop the killings and restore just, lasting, and dignified peace. A noble agreement for peace is needed,” Zelenskyy stated.

During the call, Zelenskyy and Trump delved into the current situation in Ukraine, including Russian airstrikes and broader frontline developments. Zelenskyy praised Trump for being well-informed and expressed his appreciation for Trump’s attention to Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to work together to strengthen Ukrainian air defense capabilities and discussed the possibility of joint weapons production.

“We are ready for direct projects with the United States and believe this is critically important for security, especially when it comes to drones and related technologies,” Zelenskyy noted.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, emphasized the importance of providing Ukraine with necessary defense equipment, including Patriot missiles. He acknowledged the tough situation in Ukraine and expressed his dissatisfaction with his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We’ve been helping them, and we’ll continue to help them. It’s a pretty tough situation. We’ll see what happens. I told you I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. And it just seems like he wants to go all the way and just keep killing people. No good. It’s not good. I was unhappy with him,” Trump stated.

The U.S. has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine due to concerns about U.S. stockpiles following the Israel-Iran conflict. However, plans are in place to build up Ukraine’s domestic arms industry, although scaling up will take time. Zelenskyy and Trump also discussed Ukraine’s request for Patriot missiles with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine was a focal point of the conversation between Trump and Putin. Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to achieving its goals in the conflict, despite Trump’s efforts to end hostilities. Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, with waves of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv in the largest aerial assault since the invasion began.

As the situation in Ukraine remains volatile, both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to engage in combat. The international community is closely monitoring developments in the region, with efforts underway to bring an end to the more than three-year-old war.

The phone call between Zelenskyy and Trump underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing conflicts and promoting peace and stability in the region. The U.S. stands ready to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty and independence.