Zelenskyy Calls on Trump to Support Pressure on Russia, Protect Ukraine’s Skies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged U.S. President Donald Trump to back stronger pressure on Russia and to help create a special mechanism for protecting Ukraine’s airspace, during talks with European leaders at the “Coalition of the Willing” summit in Paris.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Zelenskyy’s post on social media.

The Ukrainian President stated the discussions focused on ending Moscow’s aggression through coordinated measures, particularly economic sanctions aimed at cutting off the Kremlin’s ability to fund its war. 

“We discussed different options, and the most important is pressure, using strong measures, particularly economic ones, to force an end to the war. The key to peace is depriving Russia’s war machine of money, depriving it of resources,” he stressed.

Zelenskyy added that Kyiv had put forward a proposal for the United States to join a “special format” designed to safeguard Ukrainian skies from drone and missile attacks, which continue to claim civilian lives.

“Until peace comes, Ukrainians must not be at the mercy of constant Russian attacks. Russian missiles and drones must not take lives. Ukraine has proposed a format for protecting our skies for the U.S. to consider,” Zelenskyy stated.

CNN, citing a White House official, also reported that Trump pressed European leaders to end all purchases of Russian oil and to increase economic pressure on China, which he accused of enabling Moscow’s war effort.

The official said Trump stressed that Europe must stop buying Russian oil, which he noted continues to bankroll Moscow’s war effort. He pointed out that Russia had earned roughly €1.1 billion from oil sales to the EU over the past year.

Trump also urged European leaders to target China with economic measures, accusing Beijing of indirectly financing Russia’s war.

Earlier this year, the European Commission presented a roadmap to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 and significantly cut back on Russian oil purchases. However, Hungary and Slovakia remain opposed to a full ban.

As The Gaze previously reported, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 35 leaders were preparing a joint political offer of security guarantees for Ukraine, with 26 countries expressing readiness either to send troops or provide military assets. The scale of the U.S. contribution, Macron said, will be clarified in the coming weeks.