‘If a war can be stopped…’: Zelenskyy calls Trump to seek help brokering peace in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy termed a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Saturday as “very positive and productive,” saying they discussed measures to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence.

Zelenskyy told Trump about recent Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and expressed appreciation for the United States’ support in responding to such attacks. The two leaders also outlined specific agreements aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

During the call, Zelenskyy urged Trump to apply his diplomatic experience in brokering peace, referencing the US president’s past efforts in the Middle East. “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well  including the Russian war,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on Facebook.

Relations between the two leaders have warmed dramatically since February, when they sparred during a now infamous televised meeting at the White House.

Trump has since called Zelenskyy a “nice guy” and maintained support for Ukraine, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since 2022.

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The two leaders previously met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Zelensky also informed his American counterpart about Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector and expressed gratitude for the United States’ willingness to support Ukraine in this direction.

The sides discussed options to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and agreed on future arrangements that would bolster the country’s defence capabilities.

With inputs from agencies