Zelensky Heads to Washington to Push Trump on Air‑Defence Strengthening

Thu Oct 01 2026 16:35:13 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Zelensky arrives in Washington to negotiate tougher missile interceptors for Kyiv, underscoring the urgent need amid recent Russian bombing.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted a high‑profile invitation to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, seeking firm commitments to expand Kyiv’s anti‑ballistic missile defences. He aims to secure a licence for producing Patriot interceptors and to discuss co‑production of PAC‑2 and PAC‑3 systems on Ukrainian soil. The visit comes as Russia’s forces have intensified missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital, including a barrage of drones targeting the Kremlin. Zelensky’s talks will be followed by a meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also participates in a joint Washington event honoring a deceased U.S. senator.

Zelensky heads to Washington to push Trump on air‑defence strengthening

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has flown to the United States at a crucial juncture in Russia’s full‑scale war, setting the stage for a high‑stakes meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. He plans to secure a firm commitment to expand Kyiv’s anti‑ballistic missile defences, a priority that has amplified in urgency following a recent barrage of 390 drones that targeted Moscow’s region.

During the interview, Zelensky is expected to press Trump for a licence that would allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles locally, as well as negotiate the political, legal and technical steps required to co‑produce PAC‑2 and PAC‑3 systems directly in Kyiv. This request reflects a broader strategic aim: to reduce dependence on scarce U.S. interceptors while reinforcing the nation’s deterrence against Russian ballistic attacks.

A delegation from U.S. defence contractor Raytheon previously visited Kyiv and expressed readiness to deepen the partnership, echoing Zelensky’s optimism that co‑production could be achieved on an accelerated timetable. The White House meeting is scheduled shortly before President Trump will discuss pressing security matters with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the first personal meeting since the escalation of conflict with Iran.

Zelensky’s visit underscores the intertwined nature of the Ukraine conflict with broader geopolitical crises, as Kyiv and its allies navigate combined military pressures from Russia and Iran. The U.S. response, particularly the balance of support and critical inquiries to Russian leadership, will shape the trajectory of defence supplies and diplomatic calculus for the coming months.