Trump, Zelenskyy to discuss sanctions

Kyiv

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet on June 25 on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, a senior official in the Ukrainian presidency confirmed. The meeting comes at a tense moment in global geopolitics and will reportedly focus on Ukraine’s efforts to secure advanced military aid and tighter sanctions on Russia.

While Zelenskyy has played a prominent role in international gatherings since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he has not been invited to the main NATO working session due to a strained relationship with Trump. Despite that, sources say the two leaders are finalizing details for an early afternoon meeting in the Netherlands.

According to officials, the discussion will center on Ukraine’s purchase of a major defense package, with a strong emphasis on air defense systems. The leaders will also explore the possibility of intensifying economic pressure on Moscow by lowering the existing $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports to $45.

President Trump has thus far resisted calls from Western allies to impose additional sanctions on Russia, despite continued military aggression by President Vladimir Putin’s forces and refusal to accept a ceasefire proposal.

Trump has previously criticized Zelenskyy for prolonging the war by rejecting territorial concessions, including Crimea. However, the upcoming dialogue marks a significant step in U.S.-Ukraine diplomatic efforts amid growing battlefield challenges. The outcome of this meeting may influence NATO’s stance on further support for Ukraine and shape the next phase of international pressure on the Kremlin.