Ukrainian President Expresses Gratitude for US Support

WASHINGTON – On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the US military for its support after a conversation with President Trump, occurring in the wake of another Russian drone assault on Kiev.

Earlier this year, Zelensky had reportedly been sidelined by the White House, and after a meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, he seemed to lose access to some American-made defensive weapons.

“I had a very important and fruitful conversation,” Zelensky mentioned in a post, expressing his gratitude for the nearly $185 billion in US taxpayer assistance that has helped Ukraine withstand Russian aggression for over three years.

“In Ukraine, we are thankful for all the support received. It assists us in protecting lives, freedom, and independence. We aim to support America in many ways, as we work to stop killings and strive for a dignified peace.”

Zelensky also stated that discussions included forming a noble agreement for peace and addressed the ongoing situation with Russian airstrikes and broader frontline developments.

The President, who is 47 years old, said they spoke about improving air defense capabilities and agreed to collaborate on strengthening aerial protection. He highlighted the detailed discussions around defense industry capabilities and joint production efforts.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced a halt to some air defense cargo due to low US stockpiles.

After speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Trump shared his pessimism regarding peace prospects, stating, “I made no progress with him today,” prior to a July 4 event in Iowa.

Hours later, heavy artillery strikes hit Kiev, with the Ukrainian Air Force reporting an overnight attack that involved 539 drones and 11 missiles. Reports indicate that the limited ground defenses have struggled against such aerial assaults.

The Pentagon has since rejected further shipments of Patriot missiles, which would enhance Ukraine’s ability to intercept incoming threats, while also taking into account the capacity to handle AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and drones.

In the past, Trump had attempted to bring both Zelensky and Putin to the negotiation table but his tactics, which at times included personal attacks and threats of new sanctions, failed to resolve the ongoing conflict. Last month, Trump even compared the leaders to children squabbling, suggesting it might be better to let them fight for a bit before stepping in.