Zelensky: Negotiations with Trump led to progress in procuring important weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described his recent visit to Washington as groundbreaking. Following talks with President Donald Trump and representatives of the American defense industry, Ukraine is preparing a contract that will see it receive 25 Patriot air defense systems.

These systems will significantly strengthen the country's defenses against Russian missile attacks. The cost of the delivery is to be covered by Russian assets frozen in the West.

Zelensky confirmed that he had also asked the United States during the negotiations to supply Tomahawk missiles for attacks deep inside Russian territory, but President Trump had refused.

According to the Ukrainian leader, the reason for this was the fear of escalating tensions with Moscow ahead of Trump's planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. At the same time, he stressed that he was ready to participate in the peace negotiations in the Hungarian capital if invited.

The meeting with Trump itself was accompanied by tense moments, although Zelensky ultimately considers the outcome to be progress in procuring important weapons for Ukraine. U.S. support remains critical to the country's ability to defend itself against intense Russian attacks on its infrastructure and population.

(reuters, sie)