Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that he and former U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to collaborate on fortifying Ukraine’s air defense systems following one of the largest Russian air strike waves on Kyiv. Their phone call focused on enhancing protection of Ukrainian airspace amid escalating Russian aggression.
Joint Production and Strategic Team Talks Planned
Zelenskiy said the two leaders “spoke about opportunities in air defence and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies.” They also discussed joint weapons development and production, and plan to convene planning teams from both countries to explore details.
Patriot missiles are a vital defence asset, according to Trump
According to reports, Trump called the Patriot missile systems “pretty amazing” and acknowledged Ukraine’s pressing need for them. While a U.S. pause on air-defense shipments was recently implemented due to stockpile concerns, Trump signaled potential resumption contingent on availability and broader cooperation.
Escalation Underscores Urgency Amid Massive Russian Drone Wave
The timing comes amid Russia’s largest aerial assault to date, deploying over 500 drones and 11 missiles on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv intercepted most threats, but the scale of the attack—hitting power grids, residential areas, and civilians—emphasizes the need for advanced air defense systems.
