Zelenskyy and Trump discuss Patriot missile production, diplomacy in White House meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday as "good," focusing on licenses to produce Patriot air-defence interceptors and ways to revive negotiations with Russia.
The talks, which lasted just over an hour, came amid intensified long-range strikes by both Kyiv and Moscow and a stalling of US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for joint efforts to protect Ukrainian lives and advance peace. He noted that discussions included licenses for Patriot interceptor production and other ideas, as well as the importance of reinvigorating diplomacy.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the meeting as "positive and productive."
Relations between Zelenskyy and Trump have improved since Trump's second term began. Earlier this month, Trump suggested that Ukrainian strikes inside Russia could help end the war.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP ahead of the meeting that Kyiv's priorities were fresh supplies of anti-ballistic missiles and reviving diplomacy. Last month was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022, according to the United Nations, as Russia increased its use of ballistic missiles.
"It is crucial that Washington approve the purchase of a package of Patriot missiles. That is super important," the official said.
Zelenskyy also attended a memorial ceremony for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Ukraine supporter who died unexpectedly at age 71. Zelenskyy offered condolences, calling Graham "a true friend of Ukraine."
Since returning to power, Trump has ended direct US arms deliveries to Kyiv, allowing European countries to buy weapons for Ukraine instead. Washington remains a key ally, providing intelligence and access to the Starlink satellite system.
Relations between the two leaders recovered from a tense Oval Office confrontation in February 2025, when Trump accused Zelenskyy of ingratitude and "gambling with World War III." At a meeting in Turkey this month, Trump praised Zelenskyy for doing "an amazing job" and offered Kyiv licenses to manufacture Patriot missiles.
Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about reinvigorating diplomacy, which had been pushed down Washington's agenda by the Middle East conflict. Previous US mediation efforts failed over Ukrainian territory claimed by Russia.
After the White House meeting, Zelenskyy addressed senators ahead of a procedural vote on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. Graham had championed the measure and reached an agreement with the White House before his death. Some Democrats expressed concerns about provisions expanding Trump's power to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian energy, but the bill advanced towards final passage.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have cooled since Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last August. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied on Monday that talks on an aerial ceasefire were underway and warned that increased Ukrainian attacks inside Russia will prolong the war.
