US President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, where the two leaders discussed Ukraine’s defence needs, the war with Russia and rising tensions with Iran.
Trump praised the NATO meeting and said Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had done a “great job” in hosting the summit.
Speaking alongside Zelensky, Trump said the NATO meeting had been “great” and praised Turkey’s role in the summit. He said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had performed well as host, while also saying Ukraine’s future looked “very bright.”
Trump also claimed that Ukrainian citizens living in Poland wanted to return to their country.
Zelensky hopes Trump will push for peace
President Zelensky said he was hopeful that Trump would work for peace in Ukraine. He said Ukraine’s top priority remained air defence, especially as Russian attacks continued to threaten Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
“Air defence is our top priority,” Zelensky said.
Trump said Washington would discuss the issue of providing Patriot missiles to Ukraine. He said Patriot missile interceptors would also be part of the discussion.
The US president added that Ukraine was playing an active role in the war and said Zelensky himself had been “very active.”
Trump says he will speak to Putin
Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day. He claimed Russian conditions for ending the war were changing and suggested the conflict could move towards an end if it intensified.
Trump also asked Zelensky whether he would like to go to Moscow, saying Putin wanted to meet there. The US president said work was underway on security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump says he can stop Ukraine war
Trump said people on both sides were dying in the conflict, whether Russian or Ukrainian. He claimed 25,000 young men had been killed in the Ukraine war last month.
Trump said he had stopped many wars before and would stop this war as well. “I have stopped many wars. I will stop this war too,” he said.
He added that he did not believe Russia would want to invade Ukraine again.
US interested in Ukraine’s minerals and drones
Trump said the United States also had interests in Ukraine, including mineral resources. He described Ukraine as a country with extraordinary potential.
The US president also praised Ukraine’s drone capabilities, saying Ukraine was making the best drones. He said Washington would like to buy drones from Ukraine.
Trump says India-Pakistan war was stopped
While speaking about conflicts, Trump claimed that his administration had stopped the war between India and Pakistan. He also said a deal had been made between Armenia and Azerbaijan after 30 years.
Trump presented both examples as part of his wider claim that he could help end the Ukraine war as well.
Trump criticises Iran’s actions
Trump also addressed the escalating situation with Iran, saying Tehran was behaving “very badly.” He said he was not happy with the Iranians and accused Iran of firing drones and missiles at ships a day earlier.
Trump said Iran had been the “bully of the Middle East” for 47 years.
He claimed Iran was constantly violating the Memorandum of Understanding and said he did not think the deal with Iran would hold.
Trump said the United States could possibly target Iranian sites again at night. He claimed that 28 Iranian boats had been destroyed the previous night and said more boats could likely be destroyed.
Trump accused Iran of being dishonest in negotiations and said Tehran would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
He said if Iran had an atomic bomb, it would have used it.
Iran can be stopped without deal
Trump said the United States could prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons even without an agreement. He warned that the US could attack Iran’s power and water plants if necessary, though he said he did not want Iranian plants to be attacked.
Trump also said the US could occupy Kharg Island if it wanted.
He added that a blockade against Iran could also be started again.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky came as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for talks shaped by the war in Ukraine and the rapidly worsening US-Iran standoff.
For Ukraine, the main focus remained securing more air defence systems and stronger security guarantees.
For Washington, the summit also became a platform for Trump to issue fresh warnings to Iran while questioning whether the Memorandum of Understanding with Tehran could survive.
