Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly commended US President Donald Trump for his “outstanding achievement” in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, using the diplomatic success to renew his call for strong American leadership to end the war in Ukraine.
In a statement posted on X following a “very positive and productive” phone call with President Trump over the weekend, Zelenskyy directly linked the Gaza deal to the conflict with Russia. “I congratulated @POTUS on his success and the Middle East deal he was able to secure, which is an outstanding achievement,” Zelenskyy wrote. “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well—including the Russian war.”
Speaking to reporters later, the Ukrainian President emphasized that the momentum for peace in Europe must not be lost now that the Middle East conflict has been temporarily resolved. He stressed that “the right actions by the United States can also help bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
Key Discussion Points in the Call
During their conversation, the two leaders addressed the persistent threat of Russian air strikes on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy informed President Trump about the recent attacks on the Ukrainian energy system, which have caused widespread blackouts in Kyiv and other regions. He expressed appreciation for the US President’s “willingness to support us.”
The discussion also focused on bolstering Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and the possibility of providing long-range strike weapons to Kyiv. According to reports, the potential supply of Tomahawk long-range missiles was a concrete agreement under discussion. Ukrainian officials argue that such weapons would enable them to target military facilities deep within Russian territory, which could serve as a vital source of pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to return to the negotiating table.
Zelenskyy reiterated the necessity of achieving peace through strength. “There needs to be readiness on the Russian side to engage in real diplomacy—this can be achieved through strength,” he stated. He also highlighted the importance of secondary sanctions on Russia, calling them “very painful” and a key instrument that the US must deploy to cut off financing for Russia’s war effort.
The recent diplomatic exchange comes amidst a visible warming of relations between the two leaders, which had been strained following a tense televised meeting earlier in the year.