In the wake of Russia’s most intense aerial assault since the start of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a critical phone call to discuss urgent defense needs and bilateral cooperation. The 40-minute conversation, held on July 4, focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses and resuming the supply of crucial U.S. weapons, including Patriot missile systems and Stinger units.
The call followed Russia’s massive drone and missile barrage on Kyiv, which killed at least one person and injured over two dozen. The assault, involving more than 500 drones and 11 missiles, struck residential buildings, schools, and diplomatic sites, including the Polish and Chinese consulates. It marked the single largest aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital since the conflict began.
Zelenskiy, addressing the urgency of the situation, called for an immediate resumption of Patriot missile deliveries, which had recently been paused by the U.S. due to a Pentagon review of domestic stockpiles. The Ukrainian president also proposed ramping up joint production of air defense systems to ensure long-term resilience against Russian attacks.
Trump, who had previously spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a reportedly unproductive call, expressed optimism about restarting arms support to Ukraine. He pledged to review the delays in Patriot and Stinger missile shipments and signaled support for collaborative defense production between the two nations. Trump also acknowledged the critical threat posed by Russia’s escalating drone warfare and emphasized the importance of keeping Ukraine’s skies protected.
Both leaders agreed to organize follow-up meetings at the working level to discuss technical cooperation and logistics. Zelenskiy, in a statement following the call, expressed gratitude for continued U.S. support and emphasized the significance of a strong U.S.–Ukraine strategic partnership.
Germany also emerged as a key player, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly negotiating the transfer of additional Patriot batteries to Ukraine. The initiative is seen as part of a broader European effort to close Ukraine’s air defense gaps and pressure Washington to maintain its military commitments.
Meanwhile, an upcoming European summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 10 is expected to focus heavily on Ukraine. The summit will aim to build unified Western support and address the growing concern over Russia’s intensified military campaign.
Russia’s recent aerial attack is widely viewed as a show of force in response to ongoing Western debates over military aid. It underlined Moscow’s capacity to carry out high-volume drone strikes and its continued disregard for civilian infrastructure and international diplomatic protections.
Strategic analysts warn that any further delay in arms deliveries could severely weaken Ukraine’s defense posture and embolden Russia to push further offensives. The shift from one-way military aid to joint production and deeper strategic ties may be key to sustaining Ukraine’s ability to resist over the long term.
As the war enters a more volatile phase, the outcome of diplomatic and defense discussions between Kyiv, Washington, and European capitals could prove decisive in shaping the next stage of the conflict.