Trump, Zelenskyy Hold Call on Strengthening Ukraine’s Air Defenses Amid Russian Strikes

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call on July 4 discussing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses amid intensifying Russian attacks, according to Ukrainian statements describing the conversation as “very important and fruitful.”

Zelenskyy said in a statement on social media that the two leaders agreed to work together on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and planned a meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian teams to pursue further cooperation. The call followed a night of heavy Russian drone and missile strikes that Kyiv said involved a record 539 drones and 11 missiles.

“The leaders discussed additional practical enhancements to air defense and agreed to work on increasing the protection of Ukrainian skies, as well as holding a corresponding meeting between Ukrainian and American teams in the near future,” Zelenskyy’s office said in a statement.