Zelensky and Trump to Meet Friday: Crucial Discussions on Ukraine's Air Defense and Russia Strategy

This will be the Ukrainian leader's third visit to the White House since January.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday he will travel to Washington this week for a meeting with US President Donald Trump, with air defense systems and strategies to increase pressure on Russia topping the agenda.

Zelensky mentioned he would join a Ukrainian delegation currently engaged in discussions with American politicians and corporations, with his meeting with Trump expected to take place on Friday.

Trump confirmed the upcoming visit when questioned by a reporter during a brief refueling stop while returning to Washington from the Middle East, marking Zelensky's third White House visit since January.

The Ukrainian President revealed he had two phone conversations with Trump over the weekend, discussing the "challenges" Ukraine is facing amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and developments on the battlefield.

"We discussed some sensitive issues. That conversation was not enough, even though it was substantive," Zelensky stated while hosting EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, in Kyiv.

He noted that a Ukrainian delegation has already departed for the United States, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, heads of the presidential office and national security council, along with diplomatic representatives.

When Zelensky joins the delegation, he plans to conduct additional meetings with US military companies, senators, and congressmen.

"The main topics are air defence and our possibilities... to pressure Russia," he emphasized.