Photo: FILIP SINGER / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today (Wednesday, July 8) in Turkey during the NATO summit, focusing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting came just hours after a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv, which saw the Ukrainian capital bombarded by drones and missiles. Ukraine intercepted over 80% of the drones but could not stop five ballistic missiles, marking the third attack on Kyiv in less than a week.
During the meeting, President Trump expressed support for Ukraine, offering to license the production of Patriot air-defense missiles in Ukraine. "This way you can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough," Trump told Zelensky. Zelensky emphasized the importance of air defense systems, stating, "We want to raise air defense systems during our meeting as a priority."
The NATO summit in Ankara highlighted the ongoing war, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to collective defense. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope that the summit would strengthen NATO's unity, stating, "Russia has no chance of winning this war."
The recent Russian attacks have increased civilian casualties in Ukraine. On Monday, Kyiv was struck by ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in significant damage and power outages. Ukraine's air force reported that none of the ballistic missiles were intercepted, underscoring the need for improved air defenses.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions, with Ukraine ramping up attacks on Russian infrastructure. Zelensky used the attacks on Kyiv to renew his plea for more support from allies, particularly in air defense capabilities.
As the NATO summit concludes, the focus remains on finding a resolution to the conflict. President Trump, who previously vowed to solve the war within 24 hours of taking office, continues to seek a path to peace. However, the conflict persists, and the international community remains engaged in efforts to support Ukraine.