Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump held a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague, focusing on strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, enhancing drone cooperation, and reviewing battlefield developments in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
Zelenskyy described the interaction as “a good meeting”, and took to X to congratulate Trump on what he termed a “successful operation in the Middle East”, referencing recent US strikes that targeted Iran’s nuclear and drone infrastructure.
“It is important that the U.S. actions have weakened not only their nuclear program but also their drone production capabilities,” Zelenskyy said.
Key Points of the Discussion:
- Air Defence Procurement: Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s interest in purchasing US-made air defence systems to protect its cities, infrastructure, churches, and civilians from ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
- Drone Co-Production: The leaders explored opportunities for US-Ukraine co-production of drones, aiming to boost Ukraine’s domestic defence sector while supporting allied security supply chains.
- Humanitarian Issues: Zelenskyy updated Trump on recent technical talks in Istanbul, which focused on humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of prisoners and the return of fallen soldiers.
“Ukraine is ready to buy this equipment and support American weapons manufacturers. Europe can help,” Zelenskyy noted, appealing for broader Western collaboration.
Zelenskyy also briefed Trump on recent battlefield realities, challenging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative of progress in Ukraine.
“Putin is definitely not winning. I presented the President with the facts about what is really happening on the ground,” he added.
The meeting came amid a deadly escalation in the conflict, now in its fourth year. On Tuesday, Russian missile strikes killed 17 people and injured over 200 in Dnipro, southeastern Ukraine, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera. Another Russian attack killed two in Samara.
Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed control of Dyliivka village in eastern Donetsk—a contested region since the conflict’s onset in 2014. Overnight, Russia also reported intercepting dozens of Ukrainian drones, including in the Voronezh border region.
On a broader strategic front, NATO member states at the same summit committed to significantly increasing defence investment, pledging to allocate 5% of their GDP by 2035 to boost military readiness in response to long-term threats from Russia and global terrorism.
The Zelenskyy-Trump meeting underscores Ukraine’s efforts to solidify Western support amid intensifying Russian aggression and geopolitical uncertainty in the region.
