Zelensky Meets Trump at G7, Urges Peace Deal

President Volodymyr Zelensky met US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on Monday, as Kyiv pushed for additional air defense support and renewed efforts to pressure Russia into ending its war against Ukraine.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump told reporters that he planned to discuss the war directly with Zelensky after both leaders attended a session with G7 counterparts.

“Russia should make a deal,” Trump said. “Russia’s lost tremendous amounts of people, and so has Ukraine. Last month, they lost 35,000 soldiers between the two. It’s crazy what’s going on there.”

According to Sky News on Tuesday, Trump also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, noting that “there is a lot of dislike” between Putin and Zelensky.

Zelensky pushes for support

Following the talks, Zelensky said coordination with allies remained essential.

Earlier, the president also held a separate meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Meetings at the G7 summit in France have already started productively. Emmanuel, thank you,” Zelensky wrote. “The main thing is to strengthen air defense for Ukraine and push diplomacy so that Russia ends its war. Peace is needed.”

Ukraine outlines priorities at G7

Zelensky also participated in a broader G7 meeting alongside leaders of France, the UK, Italy, Canada, Germany, the US, Japan, and other senior EU officials.

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Ukraine is seeking US approval to manufacture anti-ballistic missile systems and interceptor missiles domestically, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday after meeting Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France. The discussions come as Kyiv looks to strengthen air defenses amid ongoing Russian attacks, with Western partners pledging continued support.

Thanking the participants for what he called “strong ideas on how to force Russia toward peace,” Zelensky outlined Kyiv’s key priorities.

These include increasing deliveries of air defense missiles, securing licenses to produce them domestically, preparing a support package for the coming winter, and intensifying pressure on Russia.

“Importantly, the US is ready to provide a backstop for these areas of work,” Zelensky said.

“The key thing is that everything discussed is implemented. Russia must understand that its war will never become the norm,” he added.

Earlier, Kyiv welcomed the US-Iran agreement brokered by Trump, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha calling it an opportunity for Washington to reinvigorate efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ahead of the G7 summit, Zelensky also proposed a face-to-face meeting with Putin in France, saying the initiative had the backing of both the US and European partners, though Moscow has yet to respond.

European leaders are also expected to use the summit to press for continued pressure on Russia.