Volodymyr Zelensky discusses buying US air-defence systems with Donald Trump

Ukraine is scrambling to protect its skies after Russia intensified aerial attacks, launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles almost every day, killing civilians and damaging houses and infrastructure.

Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with Donald Trump during their meeting on the sideline of the NATO summit in The Hague.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed buying US air-defence systems with President Donald Trump during their meeting on the sidelines of NATO’s summit in The Hague.

Ukraine is scrambling to protect its skies after Russia intensified aerial attacks, launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles almost every day, killing civilians and damaging houses and infrastructure.

I had a good meeting with @POTUS in The Hague.

I congratulated President Trump on the successful operation in the Middle East. It is important that the U.S. actions have weakened not only their nuclear program but also their drone production capabilities. We will continue to… pic.twitter.com/pzoaBSn0Yi

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 25, 2025

On Tuesday, a Russian drone and missile barrage on Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region killed 21 and wounded more than 300, including 10 children.

“We discussed the protection of our people with the President — first and foremost, the purchase of American air-defence systems,” Zelensky said on social media.

He added that Kyiv was “ready to buy this equipment and support American weapons manufacturers” and that “Europe can help.” When asked if he would supply Ukraine with the Patriot missiles, one of the most advanced air defence systems in the world, Trump vaguely promised “to see if we can make some available”, adding that Washington was also supplying Israel with them.

The two leaders have also discussed a potential joint drone production, Zelensky said, describing the 50-minute exchange with Trump as “good” and “substantive”.

“Couldn’t have been nicer,” Trump said, after the closely watched meeting held behind closed doors.