Zelenskyy and Trump Discuss Air Defense and Drone Collaboration at NATO Summit
Key Diplomatic Talks at NATO Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in crucial discussions with US President Donald Trump regarding defense matters, military collaboration, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during the NATO Summit held in The Hague on Wednesday. Zelenskyy characterized the meeting as 'productive' and took to social media to commend Trump for what he termed a 'successful operation in the Middle East,' referencing recent US military actions that targeted Iran's nuclear and drone capabilities.
In his remarks, Zelenskyy stated, 'I had a productive meeting with POTUS in The Hague. I congratulated President Trump on the successful operation in the Middle East. The actions taken by the U.S. have not only diminished Iran's nuclear ambitions but also their drone manufacturing capabilities. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.' A significant focus of their dialogue was Ukraine's urgent need to bolster its air defense systems in light of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine is actively seeking to acquire American-made air defense systems to safeguard its cities, vital infrastructure, religious sites, and civilian lives, while also advocating for enhanced European cooperation in this initiative. The leaders explored the possibility of US-Ukraine co-production of drones, as Kyiv aims to strengthen its domestic defense sector and contribute to Western security supply chains.
Additionally, Zelenskyy briefed Trump on recent technical discussions held in Istanbul, which included humanitarian topics such as prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of deceased soldiers. 'We discussed the protection of our citizens with the President—primarily the acquisition of American air defense systems to protect our cities, our people, churches, and infrastructure. Ukraine is prepared to purchase this equipment and support American defense manufacturers. Europe can assist as well. We also talked about the potential for drone co-production. We can mutually reinforce each other,' he remarked.
Zelenskyy also updated Trump on the outcomes of the technical meetings in Istanbul, including discussions on prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers. 'Russia has returned the bodies of its troops. Forensic examinations are currently underway in Kyiv to identify their families,' the Ukrainian leader added. He provided Trump with insights into the latest battlefield developments, presenting a factual narrative that counters Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertions of success.
'We discussed the battlefield situation. Putin is certainly not winning. I shared the facts about the real conditions on the ground. Thank you for the meeting and your support. I appreciate your kind words about our people. We will continue our efforts,' Zelenskyy concluded. In the latest updates regarding the ongoing conflict, which has now entered its fourth year, Russian missile strikes in southeastern Ukraine resulted in 17 fatalities in Dnipro and left over 200 individuals injured on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, as reported by various media outlets. A separate Russian attack also claimed two lives in Samara.
Russia reported intercepting numerous drones overnight across several regions, including the Voronezh area near the border, with Russian forces announcing their control over the village of Dyliivka in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region—a site of contention since the conflict began in 2014. Meanwhile, NATO member states have pledged to increase their defense spending, aiming to allocate 5 percent of their GDP annually towards 'core defense requirements' and related sectors by 2035, to enhance military capabilities in response to the long-term threat from Russia and ongoing terrorism challenges.