Zelensky Urges Trump to Boost Kyiv’s Air Defences in Washington
President Volodymyr Zelensky has flown into Washington, D.C., to meet President Donald Trump and press for a licensing agreement that would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot missile interceptors. The demand comes at a critical point when Moscow’s drones swarm Kyiv, forcing the city to rely on its limited air‑defence resources.
Zelensky stresses that Patriot missiles—particularly the PAC‑2 and PAC‑3 variants—are short on supply worldwide. He argues that co‑production on Ukrainian soil would shorten delivery times and strengthen regional security. In a recent meeting, Raytheon representatives expressed readiness to deepen involvement, echoing Zelensky’s push.
The U.S. and Ukraine will also discuss the expansion of anti‑ballistic missile systems amid reports that Russia increased its missile sortie against Kyiv’s infrastructure. Zelensky’s request is linked to requests from Kyiv that the U.S. help manufacture the complex interceptors under a joint licence.
In addition to the meeting with Trump, Zelensky will brief Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will attend the funeral of former U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. The trip illustrates the close ties between the United States, Israel, and Ukraine amid a dual-world conflict involving both the Russian and Iranian theatres.
Moscow’s Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin reported that more than 390 Ukrainian drones struck Russian targets overnight, though most were intercepted by air defences. Footage captured damage in Chekhov and a warehouse fire in Berezhki, showing the intensity of the raid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to the Duma, said the adversary’s “terrorist methods” would never win, yet agreed that conflict objectives persist. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev urged a freeze‑point, referring to Istanbul Formula 2.0, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea citing Ukraine’s stance.
The Ukrainian campaign has targeted Russian logistics hubs—including the Wildberries e‑commerce company—affecting small and medium‑sized businesses across Russia, adding civilian strain to the war’s portrait.
