Discussions of European defense spending and ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe took center stage at the NATO summit this week, as President Donald Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Their meeting, held outside the main session in the Netherlands, touched on security partnerships, military aid, and evolving diplomatic dynamics, according to the Associated Press.
NATO leaders agreed to raise their collective defense spending goals to 5% of GDP by 2035, more than doubling the previous target of 2%.
“Europe stepping up to take more responsibility for security will help prevent future disasters like the horrible situation with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said. “And hopefully we’re going to get that solved.”
Addressing reporters afterward, Trump asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking a way out of the war.
“He’d like to get out of this thing. It’s a mess for him,” Trump said, referencing a recent call from Putin in which he allegedly offered help on Iran. “I said, ‘No, you can help me with Russia.’”
This was Trump and Zelenskyy’s first in-person conversation since their brief exchange in April.
Zelenskyy later shared on social media that the two discussed defense collaboration, including the possibility of joint drone production and acquiring U.S.-made air defense systems.
The Ukrainian president said in a post on social media that he had given Trump an update on the war.
“We talked about the situation on the battlefield,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Putin is definitely not winning. I presented the President with the facts about what is really happening on the ground.”
Trump suggested that more Patriot missile systems could be made available to Ukraine, a recurring request from Kyiv.
“We’re going to see if we can make some available,” Trump said. “We need them, too. We’re supplying them to Israel, and they’re very effective … They do want that more than any other thing.”
Ukraine’s role in NATO conversations has grown more prominent, though its membership remains blocked by the current U.S. administration.
As Russian drone attacks continue — including one of the most intense strikes of the war last week — the issue of military aid and regional defense readiness remains urgent.
In related summit developments, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the U.K. would contribute 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by £70 million sourced from interest on frozen Russian assets.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continued meetings with European allies, securing additional pledges for technology aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses.
