Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Tuesday for high-level talks with United States President Donald Trump, as Ukraine seeks additional military assistance and renewed diplomatic efforts to end its war with Russia.
The meeting comes as fighting between Ukraine and Russia continues to intensify, with both sides stepping up long-range drone and missile attacks more than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to a senior Ukrainian official, Zelensky’s main objective is to secure additional Patriot air defence missiles and discuss ways to revive stalled peace negotiations.
“Our number-one priority is anti-ballistic defense and strategic cooperation with America. Peace needs to be brought closer,” Zelensky wrote on X after arriving in the United States.
The visit follows a rise in Russian missile attacks, with the United Nations reporting that last month was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022.
A Ukrainian official also stressed the importance of securing more air defence systems.
“It is crucial that Washington approve the purchase of a package of Patriot missiles. That is super important,” the official said.
Relations between Zelensky and Trump have improved since the start of Trump’s second term, despite their tense White House meeting in February 2025, when Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of showing insufficient gratitude for US support.
More recently, however, Trump praised Zelensky for what he described as “an amazing job” and offered Ukraine licences to manufacture Patriot missiles.
Since returning to office, Trump has ended direct US arms shipments to Ukraine, instead allowing European allies to purchase American weapons for Kyiv. Despite the policy shift, the United States remains a key partner by providing intelligence support and access to the Starlink satellite communication system.
During his visit, Zelensky is also expected to attend a memorial ceremony for late US Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Ukraine, before addressing members of the US Senate.
Lawmakers are preparing to vote on a bipartisan bill that would impose tougher sanctions on Russia, although the proposal has faced resistance from some Democrats and Republicans.
Meanwhile, relations between Washington and Moscow remain strained. The Kremlin has dismissed reports of renewed ceasefire negotiations and warned that Ukraine’s increasing drone attacks inside Russian territory would only prolong the conflict.
Hours before Zelensky’s meeting with Trump, Ukraine launched hundreds of drones targeting Russia, including Moscow, while Russia responded with more than 100 drones in overnight attacks on Ukraine, including strikes on the port city of Odesa.
Source: AFP.
