Kyiv [Ukraine], October 13: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he and US President Donald Trump discussed Patriot air defence systems and Tomahawk cruise missiles during a second phone call in as many days, according to a post on Telegram.
"We see and hear that Russia is afraid that the Americans can give us 'Tomahawks'," Zelensky wrote. "This is a signal that such pressure can work for peace." The Ukrainian president left open whether concrete agreements had been reached on the delivery of new weapon systems.
"We have agreed with President Trump that our teams, our military, will do everything we have discussed," Zelensky added.
Earlier, Zelensky had spoken on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron and the "key" issue of air defence was also discussed, he said.
Given the gaps in Ukraine's air defence, which recently was only able to shoot down just under three-quarters of the Russian drones and missiles approaching, Kiev is dependent on further deliveries of weapon systems.
Following the phone call, Macron condemned Moscow's continued belligerence. "If Russia continues on its war course and refuses to come to the negotiating table, it will have to pay a price," he wrote on X.
France strongly denounces the Russian attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure, which at the start of winter were effectively aimed at the civilian population.
"Together with our partners, we are assessing what assistance is needed to restore and secure basic services," Macron added.
Source: Qatar Tribune