
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Tuesday ahead of Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral, with the two leaders discussing ways for Ukraine to produce its own powerful weapons and “other ideas that could help” in its continuing war against Russia.
The sit-down in the Oval Office, which was closed to the media, followed a consequential meeting at the Nato summit earlier this month in Ankara, Turkey, where Trump announced that the US will give Ukraine a licence to make Patriot defence systems – a long-running request from Kyiv to counter Russian missile attacks.
In a post on social media after the meeting, Zelensky thanked Trump for the “good meeting” and the Republican administration’s efforts to aid Kyiv in the long-running war, which began more than four years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine.
“The President and I discussed licences for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help,” wrote Zelensky, who also noted that he offered condolences to Trump for the death of Graham, a close ally.
“We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated.”
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment on the meeting.

Don't Miss:
-
China’s anti-corruption law is going global. What does it mean for overseas firms?
-
The US and China are racing to build ‘self-improving AI’. Here’s what’s at stake
-
As Asia rapidly ages, who cares for the carers when they grow old?
-
Houthis hit Saudi base amid renewed fighting with Yemen government forces
-
J.D. Vance group courted Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro over anti-China rare earth deal: report

On China’s territorial push, coal’s comeback, and other stories | Asia Sentinel Stories of the Week
Hasina’s Shadow Dogs Bangladesh ties with India
Philippine Power Crisis Gives Coal an Uncomfortable Second Life