Ukrainian representative Kyslytsia proclaimed that the meeting between President Zelensky and former President Trump was “one of the best, if not the best meeting”. He highlighted that the discussion between the two leaders was marked by mutual interest, with a notable interaction lasting around 40 minutes in the presence of journalists.
Kyslytsia noted, “There has been significant progress regarding licenses for the Patriot systems. While we were still requesting this at the G7, we now have a clear positive response.” He emphasized that Ankara serves as a powerful signal to Moscow. Both the Ukraine-U.S. meeting and the summit discussions, along with the final declaration, were crucial, he stated.
Context
- On February 28, 2025, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump in the Oval Office ended with public disagreements, leading to Zelensky’s early departure from the White House.
- On July 8, 2026, during a joint press conference with Zelensky, Trump announced significant improvements in relations, stating, “Since the Oval Office, we have developed a good relationship with Zelensky,” to which Zelensky replied, “And this is not the end yet.”
- Trump also announced the decision to grant Ukraine licenses for interceptor missile production for Patriot air defense systems, and mentioned that the U.S. might secure the skies over Ukraine in case of another Russian attack following a potential peace agreement. Additionally, he indicated that the U.S. is interested in purchasing Ukrainian drones.
