Kiev: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a “very important and fruitful conversation” with US President Donald Trump on Friday against the backdrop of a partial freeze in US arms deliveries.
“We - in Ukraine - are grateful for all the support provided. It helps us protect lives, safeguard our freedom and independence,” said Zelensky. “We have achieved a lot together with America and we support all efforts to stop the killings and restore just, lasting, and dignified peace.”
The conversation came hours after Russia launched a massive bombardment of Kiev overnight, shortly after Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine has been heavily dependent on US support to withstand Russia’s full-scale invasion since 2022, but the Pentagon on Tuesday said it had withheld previously agreed arms deliveries to Kiev on the grounds of an inventory review.
According to media reports, this also involved Patriot missiles, which are crucial for Ukraine’s air defence against strikes by Russian missiles and drones.
Zelensky said he and Trump “discussed the current situation, including Russian airstrikes and the broader frontline developments.” “We spoke about opportunities in air defense and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” he added.
Zelensky also said he “congratulated President Trump and the entire American on the US Independence Day.” The Ukrainian leader’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, earlier said there had been a “very important and substantive conversation between the presidents.” Trump has been calling in vain for weeks for a quick end to the conflict and said he was “not happy” that no progress had been made after his call with Putin on Thursday. (DPA)
