Zelenskyy touts 'fruitful' Trump call after US president was 'disappointed' by Putin talk
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he had a “very important and productive” phone call with President Donald Trump.

The two leaders discussed how Ukrainian air defenses might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader U.S-led efforts to end the war with Russia, according to a statement by Zelenskyy.

“I had a very important and fruitful conversation with @POTUS,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “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. A noble agreement for peace is needed.” 

Zelenskyy said he and Trump “discussed the current situation, including Russian airstrikes and the broader frontline developments.”

The U.S. has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine, including crucial air defense missiles, out of concern for U.S. stockpiles following the Israel-Iran conflict. Ukraine’s main European backers are considering how they can help pick up the slack. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine’s domestic arms industry, but scaling up will take time.

Trump said he had also discussed Ukraine’s request for Patriot missiles with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but they have not yet made a decision. 

“No, we did talk about it, though, and he feels, you know, they have to be protected. He’s a strong guy, and smart, very smart man,” Trump said of Merz.

Trump had said early Friday that he was “very disappointed” by his phone call with Putin, adding: “I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”

Putin in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting on the development of “new regions” annexed from Ukraine, at the Kremlin, on June 30, 2025, in Moscow.  (Contributor/Getty Images)

Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, released a summary of what he said was a nearly hour-long conversation between Trump and Russia’s leader. It said Putin told Trump that Russia would “not back down from its goals” regarding the Ukraine war.

“Naturally, the issues surrounding Ukraine were also discussed. Donald Trump has once again raised the issue of ending the hostilities as soon as possible. In turn, Vladimir Putin noted that we still continued the search for a political, negotiated solution to the conflict,” Moscow’s readout said. “He also noted Russia was willing to pursue negotiations. Additionally, the President of Russia said that Russia would strive to achieve its goals, namely the elimination of the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs, the bitter confrontation that we are seeing now. Russia will not back down from these goals.”

Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukraine. Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight Thursday into Friday in the largest aerial assault since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. 

Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia’s stepped-up bombing campaign has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than three-year-old war.

Ukraine’s military General Staff said that Ukrainian forces had struck the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia’s Voronezh region, describing it as the home base of Russia’s Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets.

Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski, Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Border czar says ICE arrests include 70% criminals, 30% threats

ICE Arrests: 70% Involve Criminals, While 30% Pose Threats, Border Chief Reveals

() Federal immigration raids have increased across the nation under the Trump…
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: What to know about the US-backed aid group

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: What to know about the US-backed aid group

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! President Donald Trump addressed…
Married teacher avoids jail for sexting boy as rape charges dropped

Married Teacher Sidesteps Jail Time for Sexting Minor After Rape Charges Are Dismissed

A married teacher from Missouri has managed to avoid a prison sentence…
Prosecutors: Man charged with killing daughter-in-law planned to murder her a week ago

Prosecutors: Man’s Deadly Plot Against Daughter-in-Law Was Weeks in the Making

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. Prosecutors say the man charged with shooting and killing…
Delta pilot arrested after landing at California airport charged in child sex abuse case

Delta Pilot Detained After Landing in California, Faces Charges in Child Sexual Abuse Case

SAN FRANCISCO — The Contra Costa County District Attorney in Northern California…
Tea app breach exposes messages amid security issues

Security Flaws in Tea App Lead to Message Leak

The app, designed to let women safely discuss men they date, rocketed…
Original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Mario Day dead at 69

Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Paul Mario Day Passes Away at 69

British rocker Paul Mario Day, best known as the original vocalist of…
Child seriously injured in horse-drawn buggy crash in Ohio

Child Suffers Severe Injuries in Ohio Horse-Drawn Buggy Accident

MILTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) A child suffered serious injuries after a crash…