Zelensky meets US missile manufacturers ahead of talks with Trump
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has met representatives of Raytheon, the American manufacturer of Tomahawk and Patriot missile systems, which Kyiv is asking for to defend itself against the Russian invasion.
The missiles would enable the Ukrainian army to strike deeper into Russia at a time when Moscow is intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Power cuts have been introduced in recent days due to the damage caused by the Russian offensives.
“I outlined Ukraine’s specific needs for air defense systems and their compatible missiles, as well as F-16 aircraft,” Zelensky said in a post on X. “We know the concrete steps required for our defense and are working to implement them.”
Zelensky also met representatives of the Lockheed Martin group and energy companies, as well as Energy secretary Chris Wright.
“Ukraine needs more strength, and we can achieve this together,” he said in a post on X on Friday morning. “We discussed the urgent needs of the moment – very concrete measures to support our energy system, as well as long-term cooperation.”
"We know the concrete steps required for our defense and are working to implement them"
Zelensky is expected at the White House on Friday, where Donald Trump is set to receive him for the third time since the start of his term.
Trump had a lengthy telephone conversation on Thursday with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who warned that a delivery of Tomahawk missiles would “significantly damage” Russian-American relations and the prospects for resolving the conflict.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Phil Jasper, president of Raytheon, at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, DC © PHOTO HANDOUT / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP
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