Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 28. The talks were held behind closed doors, and no detailed official statement on any agreements reached had been released at the time of publication.
Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Tuesday morning local time. It was the second face-to-face meeting between the Ukrainian and US presidents in July, following earlier talks on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
Air defence was the top priority
Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy said the main topics would be Ukraine’s protection against ballistic missiles and strategic cooperation with the United States.
“The number one priority is anti-ballistic missile defence and strategic cooperation with America. We need to bring peace closer,” the Ukrainian president said after arriving in the United States.
The two leaders were expected to discuss the urgent strengthening of Ukraine’s air defences, the completion of a drone agreement and the practical implementation of arrangements to produce interceptor missiles for Patriot systems in Ukraine.
During their previous meeting at the NATO summit, Trump said the United States was prepared to grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot systems or missiles and help establish production.
Peace process discussed at the White House
Ahead of the closed-door talks, a White House representative said Trump planned to focus on the next steps in the peace process between Ukraine and Russia.
Last week, Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump’s special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The parties discussed ways to intensify diplomatic efforts and arrange further contacts between Ukrainian and US officials.
No public press conference was held following Tuesday’s meeting. The talks took place without an open press segment, meaning no details have yet emerged about specific decisions on weapons supplies, Patriot systems or future diplomatic steps.
Zelenskyy to meet US senators
After the White House talks, Zelenskyy was expected to travel to Capitol Hill for a meeting with US senators. His visit comes as lawmakers advance a bipartisan bill proposing new sanctions against Russia and countries that purchase Russian energy.
The Ukrainian president also travelled to Washington to attend the farewell ceremony for US Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most prominent supporters of aid to Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia.
Reuters, the Associated Press and the Financial Times have noted a visible improvement in relations between Zelenskyy and Trump compared with the beginning of the US president’s second term. However, firm conclusions about the outcome of the talks can only be drawn after official statements from the Ukrainian and US sides.
