EditTrump and Zelenskyy discuss boosting Ukraine’s air defenses
Call follows Trump’s conversation with Putin and comes amid one of Russia’s heaviest bombardments of Kyiv in recent weeks
As Kyiv continues to suffer under the weight of massive Russian missile barrages, US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 4 July, just a day after holding a conversation with Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange and said the two leaders agreed to work jointly on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses. “We spoke about opportunities in air defense and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” the Ukrainian president posted on social media following the call.
“I congratulated President Trump and the entire American people on the US Independence Day. We – in Ukraine – are grateful for all the support provided. It helps us protect lives, safeguard our freedom and independence. We have achieved a lot together with America and we support all efforts to stop the killings and restore just, lasting, and dignified peace”, Zelenskyy added.
“We have also agreed to a meeting between our teams. We had a detailed conversation about defense industry capabilities and joint production. We are ready for direct projects with the United States and believe this is critically important for security, especially when it comes to drones and related technologies. We also touched on mutual procurement and investment”, he wrote on X.
The conversation comes at a time when Kyiv is expressing growing concern over delays and uncertainty surrounding US military assistance. Trump previously admitted to making “absolutely no progress” on a ceasefire during his talk with Putin.
Trump-Putin call yields no progress on Ukraine, exposing diplomatic stalemate
Kyiv under fire
The Trump-Zelenskyy call took place against the backdrop of one of the most intense Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks. Between the evening of 3 July and the early hours of 4 July, over 550 aerial strikes were launched by Russian forces, mostly targeting Kyiv. While Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 478 of them, at least eight strikes hit their targets, and debris caused further destruction in 33 locations.
Nineteen people were reported injured in the capital. Fires and structural damage affected six districts, including residential buildings and railway infrastructure. Some passenger trains were delayed by up to two hours, and service remains partially suspended.
One of the more symbolic casualties of the latest barrage was the consular section of the Polish embassy in Kyiv. According to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, the building sustained light damage, likely from debris of a downed Russian drone. “Everyone is safe,” Sikorski reported, “but Ukraine urgently needs more air defense.”
A broader push for Patriot systems
Germany, meanwhile, has intensified talks with the United States to deliver more Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. German government spokespersons have confirmed that “various channels” are being explored to secure interceptor missiles and batteries to protect Ukrainian cities from aerial attacks.
Zelenskyy has indicated that additional discussions with the US will focus on sustaining and expanding military aid, particularly the supply of PAC-3 interceptor missiles. Ukrainian officials say they are now working at “operational levels” to resolve pending questions over continued US support.
Sources: BGNES, European Pravda
Caption: A handout photo made available by the Presidential Press Service of Ukraine shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and US President Donald J. Trump (R) shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, 25 June 2025. EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Updated: July 5, 2025 - 04:14
