In a pivotal 40-minute conversation on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed on a roadmap to bolster Kyiv's air defenses amid an intensifying Russian drone offensive.
According to a Telegram post by Zelenskyy, the leaders discussed joint defense production, as well as collaborative purchases and investments. "We need it, America needs it," he emphasized, underscoring the urgency to "defend the sky" above Ukraine's cities.
Ukraine has pressed Washington for additional Patriot missiles and systems, viewing them as critical shields against repeated air strikes. The recent pause in some U.S. weapon shipments raised alarms in Kyiv, prompting Germany to explore its own Patriot acquisition to fill the gap.
A source briefed on the call told Reuters they were optimistic that Patriot supplies could restart after what was described as a "very good" exchange between the presidents. As Axios reported, Trump promised to review which U.S. arms deliveries were on hold.
The talks followed a separate, less fruitful call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which neither side marked by progress. Within hours of that conversation, Russia unleashed its largest drone assault on Kyiv since the war began—a strike Zelenskyy decried as "deliberately massive and cynical."
Meanwhile, Trump also connected with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss Ukraine's air defense needs alongside broader trade issues, according to Spiegel magazine. These high-level dialogues reflect growing momentum among allies to shore up Ukraine's frontline defenses as the drone threat evolves.
Looking ahead, the two administrations plan to convene specialized teams to map out joint production of defense systems—a move that could reshape how Kyiv and Washington collaborate on long-term security. For young global citizens and tech-minded entrepreneurs, this partnership signals a shift towards co-developed military innovation in response to modern air threats.
With drone warfare redefining the battlefield and allies racing to keep pace, the Trump-Zelenskyy call underscores a critical turning point: not just in supply chains for air defense, but in the collective effort to defend democratic values under fire.
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Trump, Zelenskyy discuss air defense amid Russian drone attacks
cgtn.com
