Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Patriot Missile Production During White House Meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House on Tuesday to discuss expanding Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including licensed production of Patriot missile interceptors, as Kyiv continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
The private Oval Office meeting took place ahead of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Ukraine, and followed their meeting at the NATO summit earlier this month in Ankara, where Trump announced that the United States would grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air defense systems.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy described the talks as productive.
“The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media, adding that the two leaders also discussed efforts to revive diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Trump later called the meeting “a great honor” and said on Truth Social that “many things were discussed” and that the talks “went very well.”
During his visit to Washington, Zelenskyy also met executives from Lockheed Martin to discuss expanded cooperation on defense production and technology. He later met U.S. senators, where he urged continued support for Patriot missile interceptors and tougher sanctions on Russia.
According to people familiar with the discussions, Zelenskyy argued that increased economic pressure could help bring Russian President Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table.
The Senate on Tuesday advanced bipartisan legislation that would impose new sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas. The measure is widely viewed as a tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had long championed stronger measures against Moscow.
The White House meeting reflected improving relations between Trump and Zelenskyy after a previously strained relationship during the early months of Trump’s second term. Analysts say Trump’s stance has become more supportive as Ukraine has continued resisting Russian military advances.
The two leaders also discussed broader regional security concerns, including Iran. Zelenskyy alleged that Russia has assisted Iran by providing satellite imagery of U.S. military bases in the Gulf, an accusation Trump said he would raise with Russian President Vladimir Putin while noting he had not seen evidence of significant Russian assistance.
Ukrainian and Iranian foreign ministers also held talks Tuesday following a recent Ukrainian strike on an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea. Ukraine said the attack was unintended and reaffirmed that its military operations are focused solely on defending against Russian aggression, while Iran demanded compensation for the damage and warned that attacks on its citizens and interests were unacceptable.
