Trump, Zelenskiy Discuss Patriot Missile Production and Ukraine Peace Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Washington on Tuesday to discuss reviving peace negotiations with Russia, expanding Ukraine's air defense capabilities, and strengthening military cooperation as the war enters its fifth year.

During a private Oval Office meeting, Zelenskiy said the leaders focused on Ukraine's urgent need for anti-ballistic missile systems and Patriot missile interceptors to counter Russia's increasing missile attacks. He later revealed that Trump reaffirmed his commitment to granting Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptors domestically, a move aimed at boosting the country's long-term defense capabilities.

Speaking after meetings with U.S. senators, Zelenskiy stressed that Ukraine has developed effective drones capable of destroying Iranian- and Russian-made drones but continues to face a shortage of systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

The Ukrainian president also confirmed discussions with Lockheed Martin, one of the manufacturers of Patriot interceptors, saying both sides are already working on plans to begin co-production as quickly as possible.

Beyond military cooperation, Zelenskiy and Trump discussed restarting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Russia. According to sources familiar with the talks, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Ukraine for the first time as part of renewed mediation efforts, although no timetable has been announced.

Zelenskiy's visit also included meetings with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate. He attended the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in Washington, whose death marks the loss of a key advocate for continued U.S. backing.

At the Capitol, Zelenskiy welcomed bipartisan legislation advancing tougher sanctions on Russia's energy sector, describing the measures as critical to reducing Moscow's ability to finance the war.

The visit comes despite ongoing criticism of the Trump administration over delays in delivering previously approved U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Still, relations between Trump and Zelenskiy have improved significantly in recent months, reflecting closer cooperation on defense, sanctions, and diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end.