US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk inside the Oval Office Tuesday for an hour.
Their closed-door meeting comes as the Ukrainian leader seeks to shore up vital American support for his country’s defense against Russia while navigating a volatile escalation connecting the war in Europe to conflict in the Middle East.
The last time the two leaders had this meeting, their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter last year.
This time, Trump has been reportedly impressed with Zelensky’s more aggressive posture in the war with Russia as he sends more fighters into the country, per the Wall Street Journal.
Zelensky took to X after their meeting saying that he had a ‘good meeting’ with Trump, detailing more about their closed-door visit.
‘The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help. We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated,’ he wrote, adding that their teams will arrange details about their next meeting.
A White House source says the pair discussed anti-ballistic defense systems and Ukraine’s defense needs.
Another Ukrainian source in the room says the Trump-Zelensky bilateral meeting today was ‘very practical’ and that they’ve discussed ‘renewed diplomatic efforts’.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that their meeting was ‘positive and productive’.
