During his visit to Washington, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a series of meetings with representatives of leading U.S. defense companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and long-range capabilities.
At the meeting with Lockheed Martin, the Head of State expressed gratitude to the United States, President Donald Trump, and the company’s representatives for their consistent support of Ukraine. Zelensky noted that Russia is intensifying its attacks ahead of the winter season, carrying out increasingly brutal strikes across Ukrainian territory.
The President outlined Ukraine’s urgent defense priorities, including the supply of additional air defense systems, compatible missiles, and F-16 aircraft. Representatives of Lockheed Martin briefed him on the company’s current production capacities and potential opportunities for cooperation. The parties also discussed concrete ways to enhance Ukraine’s protection against ongoing Russian aggression. Lockheed Martin reaffirmed its openness to partnership and continued support.
“The Ukrainian state knows the exact steps needed to strengthen its defense and is implementing them together with international partners at all levels,” the President emphasized.
Zelensky also met with representatives of Raytheon, the company that manufactures the Patriot air defense systems currently protecting Ukrainian skies. The Head of State thanked Raytheon for its contribution, stressing that Patriot systems have saved countless Ukrainian lives.
During the meeting, Zelensky provided an overview of the battlefield situation, noting that despite continuous assaults, Russia has failed to achieve any of its military objectives. In response, the aggressor is increasing strikes on civilians and critical infrastructure, including the energy system. According to the President, Russia now launches more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles daily.
The company’s representatives expressed condolences to Ukrainians who have lost loved ones to the strikes and confirmed their readiness to continue supporting Ukraine’s defense.
Zelensky underlined the need to further strengthen air defense capabilities with additional systems and missiles and specified Ukraine’s most pressing requirements. The discussion also touched on Raytheon’s production potential, opportunities for future cooperation to boost Ukraine’s air and long-range defense, and the prospects of Ukrainian–American joint production.
“The solutions needed to protect lives in Ukraine exist,” the President noted. “We are working with partners at every level to ensure they are implemented.”
