Trump, Zelensky discuss ‘maximum protection’ for Ukraine’s skies
President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed “maximum protection” for Ukraine’s skies on Thursday during a call as the country continues to come under aerial bombardment by Russia with little progress toward peace talks in recent weeks.
Zelensky said he and the president had a “very detailed” conversation after Thursday’s meeting of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris and that Kyiv proposed a new format for protecting its skies for Washington to consider. European leaders were also on the call.
“First and foremost, we talked about how to push the situation toward real peace. We discussed different options, and the most important is pressure, using strong measures, particularly economic ones, to force an end to the war,” Zelensky said in a Thursday post on social platform X. “The key to peace is depriving Russia’s war machine of money, depriving it of resources.”
“We also spoke about maximum protection for Ukraine’s skies. Until peace comes, Ukrainians must not be at the mercy of constant Russian attacks,” the Ukrainian leader added. “Russian missiles and drones must not take lives. Ukraine has proposed a format for protecting our skies for the U.S. to consider.”
Ukraine has consistently pushed for more U.S. air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from relentless Russian missile and drone attacks. Trump has balked at additional financial support for Ukraine, but encouraged NATO countries to purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine’s defense.
French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference after the call that 26 countries are prepared to send troops or contribute in other ways to post-war Ukraine security guarantees.
Zelensky, who was standing beside Macron, added that Poland, Italy and Germany are among Kyiv’s “security guarantors.”
Trump joined the Thursday call with Zelensky and other leaders, where he pressed European nations to halt purchases of Russian oil as a way to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has been ongoing since late February 2022.
“President Trump emphasized that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war — as Russia received €1.1 billion [$1.28 billion] in fuel sales from the EU in one year. The president also emphasized that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts,” a White House official said in a statement.
The meetings in Paris come as the efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with Russia appear to be stalled.
After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month, and days later with Zelensky and European leaders in Washington, Trump has pushed for a bilateral meeting between the Kremlin leaders and the Ukrainian president.
Putin has refused to commit to a meeting. On Wednesday, he questioned the purpose of such a huddle with the Ukrainian leader this week, but suggested it could take place in Moscow.
During a recent interview, Trump cast doubt about the potential Putin-Zelenky meeting, but expressed more confidence in arranging a three-way huddle between the two presidents and himself.
“Something is going to happen, but they are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done,” the president said.
Zelensky said the officials during the meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” discussed each country’s readiness to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine.
“We coordinated positions and reviewed elements of security guarantees. I am grateful to everyone for understanding that the main security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army,” Zelensky said.
“Support for Ukraine must be increased and pressure on Russia must be intensified,” the Ukrainian leader added. “Preparations for the 19th EU sanctions package are underway. Japan is also working on sanctions measures.”