Trump and Zelensky Discuss Air Defence Enhancement Amid Ongoing Russian Attacks
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation on Friday to explore options for enhancing Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. “We discussed the possibilities of air defence and agreed that we will work together to better protect Ukrainian airspace,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram following the call., reports 24brussels.
During the discussion, Zelensky emphasized the importance of cooperation in the defence industry, indicating that Ukraine is prepared to initiate joint production projects with the US. He characterized the interaction as “important and useful.”
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, described the phone call as “very important” and “substantive.”
Despite the importance of the call, it remains uncertain whether it will impact the recent US decision to suspend the delivery of specific weapons to Ukraine, including air defence missiles and precision munitions. This decision has raised concerns among European leaders and Ukrainian officials, particularly as Russian aggression escalates.
The conversation with Zelensky followed a call Trump had with Russian President Vladimir Putin just a day prior. According to the Kremlin, Putin reaffirmed that Russia “will not give up its goals in Ukraine.”
The backdrop of this diplomatic exchange was marked by one of the most intense Russian bombardments since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian air force officials labeled the overnight offensive from Thursday to Friday as “the heaviest Russian attacks on Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.”
