US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday spoke about air defence weapons and increasing Russian attacks on Ukraine, as reported by Axios.
Their phone call follows one day after Trump reported having a “disappointing” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia Launches Heaviest Drone Attack on Kyiv
Russia bombarded Kyiv with the biggest drone attack of the conflict throughout the city, hours following Trump’s talk with Putin on Thursday.
Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the attack as “deliberately massive and cynical.”
A move by Washington to suspend some arms shipments to Ukraine led Kyiv to warn that it would leave it less capable of resisting mounting airstrikes and ground advances. Germany indicated it is in discussion about purchasing Patriot air defence systems to fill the gap.
Trump Speaks With German Chancellor Merz
Trump called German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, government sources told Spiegel magazine. The two talked about the state of affairs in Ukraine, including tightening its air defense, and trade, Spiegel added in an article published on Friday.
The recent flurry of diplomatic activity comes as Ukraine continues to suffer under intensified Russian offensives, which have targeted critical infrastructure and civilian zones. The large-scale drone attack on Kyiv marked a significant escalation in Russia’s air assault strategy, raising alarm in European capitals about the future trajectory of the war.
Trump Faces Divided U.S. on Long-Term Military Aid to Ukraine
Officials in Washington remain divided over the long-term commitment to military aid for Ukraine, with internal debates over budget priorities and strategic interests. The partial suspension of arms deliveries has already begun to affect battlefield dynamics, as Ukrainian forces attempt to repel Russian advances with dwindling supplies.
Trump’s outreach to both Zelensky and Merz signals an effort to reshape the West’s response to the conflict under his renewed leadership. His conversation with Putin though labeled “disappointing” has raised questions among analysts about whether Trump is attempting to carve out a parallel diplomatic channel or simply testing Russia’s stance ahead of broader negotiations.
Germany Eyes Patriot Systems to Fill U.S. Gap
Meanwhile, Germany’s potential acquisition of Patriot systems underscores growing European concerns that any reduction in U.S. support must be swiftly compensated by regional defense cooperation.
As both Washington and Kyiv brace for another critical phase of the war, the global spotlight remains fixed on Trump’s next move.
