Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 5 (local time) that the recent phone call with US President Donald Trump was the best and most effective exchange ever between the two sides. Mr Zelensky shared this assessment in his overnight video address, emphasizing the importance of the discussion content.
We discussed air defense and I am grateful that the US side is ready to support. The patriot system is the key to dealing with ballistic missile threats, Zelensky said. He said the two leaders also discussed many other important issues, which are expected to be further clarified by officials from both sides in upcoming meetings.
On the US side, Mr. Trump confirmed that he had a good call with the President of Ukraine, and expressed disappointment in his previous conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Trump said that Moscow has no goodwill in moving towards a ceasefire agreement.
When asked if the US would agree to supply more patriot missiles to Ukraine, Trump said: They will need them to defend... They will need something because they are being heavily attacked. He also praised the effectiveness of the patriot system and emphasized Kiev's urgent air defense needs.
In that context, Russian airstrikes on Kiev and many other cities in Ukraine are on the rise. Just hours after the call between Trump and Putin, Moscow launched what was seen as the largest drone attack since the start of the conflict on the Ukrainian capital.
President Zelensky's expressed satisfaction after the phone call with Mr. Trump shows that Kiev is seeking clearer and stronger support from the US side in the context of the conflict continuing to escalate. The positive signals from this call are expected to prompt more concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities in the coming time.
