Trump Meets Zelenskyy, Hints at Sending Patriot Missiles for Kyiv/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in The Hague, proposing that the alliance’s increased defense spending (5% of GDP by 2035) could help deter future Russian aggression. Trump praised Putin’s willingness to de-escalate and signaled potential delivery of more Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, calling them “100% effective.” Zelenskyy described the meeting as substantive, thanking Trump for U.S. assistance and discussing ceasefire and peace efforts, while NATO leaders pledged more support for Kyiv.
Quick Look: Trump and Zelenskyy NATO Summit Meeting
- Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met during the NATO summit in The Hague.
- Trump suggested increased NATO defense spending could deter future Russian aggression.
- He hinted at the possible provision of U.S. Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy said the talks were substantive and aimed at achieving peace and a ceasefire.
- Trump reiterated his belief that Vladimir Putin wants to end the war.
- Trump’s administration continues to block Ukraine’s NATO membership.
- U.S. allies, including the UK and the Netherlands, pledged new defense aid to Ukraine.
Deep Look: Trump Meets Zelenskyy at NATO, Touts Defense Spending as Deterrent
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Wednesday during the NATO summit in The Hague, marking their first face-to-face engagement since April. The meeting focused on the ongoing war with Russia and NATO’s evolving security strategy, as Trump argued that increased defense spending by NATO members could help prevent future military conflicts in Europe.
“Europe stepping up to take more responsibility for security will help prevent future disasters like the horrible situation with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump told reporters at the closing press conference of the summit. “And hopefully we’re going to get that solved.”
This statement followed NATO’s historic agreement to raise defense spending targets to 5% of GDP by 2035—more than doubling the prior 2% benchmark. Trump emphasized that higher investment in collective security could serve as a deterrent to future Russian aggression and potentially bring resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Reinforcing this point, Trump shared that Russian President Vladimir Putin recently contacted him, ostensibly to offer assistance with the situation in Iran. Trump claimed to have redirected the conversation, telling Putin, “No, you can help me with Russia.”
Zelenskyy, in a social media update, described the talks as meaningful and welcomed continued U.S. assistance. “We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer,” he wrote.
In a notable exchange during the press conference, a Ukrainian journalist asked Trump whether more U.S. Patriot missile systems would be delivered to Ukraine. Trump acknowledged their value and hinted at potential deployment:
“We’re going to see if we can make some available. We need them, too. We’re supplying them to Israel… They’re very effective. They do want that more than any other thing.”
While the U.S. has consistently pushed allies to deliver air defense systems to Ukraine, many NATO members, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have hesitated to part with their limited stockpiles.
Despite the conflict’s central role in recent NATO summits, Ukraine remains outside the alliance. Trump’s administration continues to block Ukraine’s NATO membership bid, prioritizing immediate regional stability over long-term commitments.
Trump used the press conference to criticize U.S. media but showed personal sympathy toward the Ukrainian journalist, saying: “That’s a very good question… Say hello to your husband.”
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, spent much of his summit time meeting with NATO leaders. Dutch officials pledged additional drones and radar equipment, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by £70 million ($95 million) from interest accrued on frozen Russian assets.
Trump, who pledged during his 2024 campaign to swiftly end the war, continues to grapple with the complexity of doing so. Despite his rhetoric that the war wouldn’t have occurred under his leadership, his administration has struggled to make decisive progress since taking office.
The war, now in its third year, has devastated much of Ukraine. Russia’s drone and missile attacks persist, and a recent large-scale strike marked one of the deadliest of the war. Thousands of civilians have died, and towns across Ukraine have been left in ruins.
As the NATO summit closed, Trump projected cautious optimism about the possibility of achieving peace. “He [Putin] wants out. It’s a mess for him,” Trump reiterated, signaling potential momentum toward negotiations—but without any concrete announcement of the path forward.
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