President Donald Trump's recent comments on deep strikes into Russia and a licensing deal for Patriot missiles are positive signals for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to snap analysis. The remarks came during a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Trump repeatedly praised Zelenskyy, even laughing at how far their relationship had come since the infamous Oval Office meeting last year. He expressed hopes for developing postwar Ukraine and tapping into its “tremendous potential.”
Key Signals of Support
What matters most for Ukraine is Trump's apparent backing for Kyiv's strikes inside Russia, a strong suggestion that Ukraine will get a licensing deal to produce “defensive” Patriot missiles, and a clear pledge to push for a peace deal to “save lives” with strong security guarantees. Trump also hinted at admiration for Ukraine's drone production, suggesting the US “would buy their drones.”
However, there were troubling moments, such as when Trump disregarded the fundamental difference between aggressor and victim with his “kids fighting in a park” metaphor, and when he mentioned his personal relationship with Vladimir Putin. Big questions remain on timings for the Patriot deal.
