President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said talks with the United States on expanding anti-ballistic missile production have shown little progress, prompting Kyiv to push for faster production in Europe. He praised French President Emmanuel Macron and highlighted European financial support for weapons acquisitions, while stressing that U.S. leadership and technical expertise remain essential. Zelenskiy also said that U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to resolve the more-than four-year war with Russia have stalled and that he expects new U.S. proposals to move negotiations forward.
Zelenskiy Says Talks With U.S. On Missile-Defence Production Have Stalled, Seeks Faster Output In Europe
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko visit the site of an apartment building damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 24, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv/Handout via REUTERS
May 25 (Reuters): President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that talks with the United States over expanding production of anti-ballistic missile defenses have made little progress, and Kyiv is working with European partners to accelerate production on the continent.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said: "Unfortunately, there has been no progress for a long time with America regarding the expansion of anti-ballistic missile production." He added, "We are trying to accelerate this work in Europe — to produce our own anti-ballistic systems on the continent in sufficient quantities."
Zelenskiy said Ukraine continues to discuss with Washington ways the United States can help, stressing that U.S. leadership and technical expertise remain vital. "Europe is helping us financially. But the leadership of the United States is also very much needed. Today it is very, very important to say this," he said.
The president thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his role in developing such systems and credited European partners for providing financial support to help Ukraine acquire weapons. Zelenskiy added that results are critical both on the technical side and in diplomacy: "We expect new diplomatic measures with representatives of the President of the United States of America."
U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives to find a settlement to the more-than four-year war with Russia have largely stalled, with international attention increasingly focused on the conflict involving Iran. Zelenskiy said last week he was expecting fresh U.S. proposals on how to advance negotiations.
Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Nick Zieminski
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