Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “very important and fruitful” conversation with President Trump on Friday during which the two leaders discussed the developments on the front lines in Eastern Europe, air defense systems and mutual investments.
Zelensky said in a post on the social platform X that he wished Trump a happy Fourth of July, expressed gratefulness for the military aid the United States has provided so far and reiterated Ukraine’s desire to stop the three-year war with Russia and broker a “just, lasting and dignified peace” agreement.
“Today we discussed the current situation, including Russian airstrikes and the broader frontline developments. President Trump is very well informed, and I thank him for his attention to Ukraine. We spoke about opportunities in air defense and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” Zelensky wrote on X. “We have also agreed to a meeting between our teams.”
Zelensky also said he had a “detailed conversation” with Trump about “defense industry capabilities and joint 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,” Ukraine’s leader said.
Trump spoke with Zelensky just hours after Russia launched one of its biggest air assaults on Ukraine, pounding Kyiv and other cities with 550 drones and missiles. One person was killed and at least 24 people in Kyiv were injured in the attack, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
“We also touched on mutual procurement and investment. Finally, we exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and joint work with the U.S. and other partners,” Zelensky said of his call with Trump.
The president’s call with Zelensky came just a day after Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Thursday that he was “very disappointed” with the conversation he had with the Russian leader and added that he made “no progress” on securing a ceasefire in the three-year war.
“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there. I’m just saying, I don’t think he’s looking to stop. And that’s too bad,” Trump told reporters.
Putin told Trump that Russia will not back down from its military goals in Ukraine, the Kremlin said. Trump pushed Putin to end the war in Ukraine, but the Russian president dismissed the effort, according to Moscow’s readout of the call.
Trump’s call with Zelensky came days after the Defense Department halted some air defense and munition transfers to Ukraine.
“We’re giving weapons … and we’re working with them and trying to help them. But we have — you know, [former President] Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons. And we have to make sure we have enough for ourselves,” Trump told reporters Thursday evening.
Trump and his administration have pushed to end the war in Eastern Europe but have had little success, as Russia has seemingly not moved away from its demands.
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