Source: Fortune.com
Summary
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House to discuss Ukraine’s production of powerful weapons and other ideas to aid in its ongoing war against Russia. The meeting followed a NATO summit where Trump announced the US would give Ukraine a license to make Patriot defense systems. Zelenskyy also met with officials from Lockheed Martin to discuss defense production and technology exchange. The meeting comes as the US has warmed to Zelenskyy’s efforts to court the Republican administration and as the conflict in the Middle East has become entwined with Ukraine. Trump recalled Sen. Lindsey Graham’s hawkishness on Ukraine and said his support never wavered.
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The strategy enters a familiar phase.
Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting was closed to the media, but the Ukrainian president later posted about their discussion on social media. Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the meeting and the Republican administration’s efforts to aid Kyiv. The meeting also followed a recent change of heart by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who had been influenced by Russian propaganda but now supports Ukraine. Zelenskyy warned that Russia has been aiding Iran by capturing satellite imagery of US bases in the Gulf region.
It’s a delicate dance of alliances and interests.
Author: Evan Null
