President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine announced a “very positive and productive” phone call with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, a discussion that spanned from high-level diplomacy to critical defense needs. The conversation underscored a deepening alignment between the two leaders on the strategy for ending the war in Ukraine, combining a push for negotiations with a commitment to military strength.
The immediate pretext for the call was Zelensky’s congratulations to Trump for securing a phase-one Gaza peace agreement, a development that has been hailed by world leaders. Zelensky seized on this success, framing it as a proof of concept for global peacemaking. He argued that if such a complex conflict can be de-escalated, then a resolution to the “Russian war” should also be within reach.
On a more practical level, Zelensky briefed Trump on the ongoing Russian assaults against Kyiv’s energy infrastructure, a critical threat to the country’s stability. This update served as a prelude to a focused discussion on enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump’s “willingness to support us” in this vital area.
The conversation yielded promising developments regarding military aid, particularly for air defense. Zelensky spoke of “opportunities to strengthen” these systems and mentioned that “concrete agreements” are being actively worked on. This points to a tangible outcome from the call, aimed at giving Ukraine the tools it needs to protect itself.
Zelensky’s summary of the call reiterated his long-held position that meaningful talks with Russia depend on Ukraine’s ability to negotiate from a position of power. He stressed the need for “readiness on the Russian side to engage in real diplomacy,” a state of affairs he believes can only be “achieved through strength.” The call thus reinforced a shared understanding that a strong Ukraine is the most effective deterrent and the surest path to peace.