Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a 'good meeting' with US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House, emphasizing discussions on licenses to produce Patriot air-defense interceptors and ways to revive negotiations with Russia. Zelensky's meeting with Trump, which lasted just over an hour, occurred amid intensified long-range strikes between Kyiv and Moscow and stalled US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Focus on Patriot Interceptors and Diplomacy
In a statement on X, Zelensky thanked Trump for their collaborative efforts to protect Ukrainian lives and advance peace. He noted, 'The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help. We also spoke about diplomacy -- it's important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the meeting as 'positive and productive.'
Background and Context
Relations between Zelensky and Trump have warmed since the start of Trump's second term. Ahead of the meeting, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP that Kyiv's priorities were fresh supplies of anti-ballistic missiles and ways to revive diplomacy, more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion. Last month was the deadliest for Ukraine civilians since April 2022, as Russia increased its use of difficult-to-intercept ballistic missiles.
