Trump, Zelensky discuss weapons, Russia's escalating strikes in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and US President Donald Trump spoke in a phone call on July 4.
KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed air defences in a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on July 4, and agreed to work on increasing Kyiv's capability to 'defend the sky' as Russian attacks escalate.
He added in his account on Telegram that he discussed joint defence production, as well as joint purchases and investments with the US leader.
Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes.
A decision by Washington to
halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia's airstrikes and battlefield advances.
Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defence systems to bridge the gap.
The conversation came a day after Mr Trump said he had
a disappointing call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia pummelled Kyiv with
the largest drone attack of the war across the capital, hours after Trump's conversation with Putin on July 4.
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Mr Zelensky called the attack 'deliberately massive and cynical.'
Mr Trump spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on July 3, according to Spiegel magazine, citing government sources.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, including strengthening its air defences, as well as trade issues, Spiegel reported on July 4. REUTERS
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