Kyiv calls Trump–Zelensky White House talks "very practical"
Ukraine has described a closed-door White House meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump as "very practical," a senior Ukrainian official told a Deutsche Welle (DW) correspondent. Zelensky arrived at the White House at 3:44 p.m. and left at 4:42 p.m., after talks with Trump that ran nearly an hour.
Afterward, Zelensky said on Telegram that the two leaders had focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and on diplomatic efforts to end the war.
"We discussed with the president licenses to produce interceptor missiles for Patriot air-defense systems, as well as other ideas that could help. We also talked about diplomacy — it's important to intensify the diplomatic process. Our teams will coordinate the details of further cooperation. I'm grateful to the United States for its strong support," Zelensky wrote.
Next stop: Kyiv
The bilateral meeting was "very practical," a senior Ukrainian official told DW's correspondent. According to that official, Ukraine now expects negotiations to continue in Kyiv with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Zelensky's Washington agenda also includes a memorial service for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11 — the day after his visit to Kyiv. Graham was a vocal advocate for tougher sanctions against Russia over the war, DW notes.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
