US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a 50-minute meeting during the NATO summit in The Hague — their first formal talks in months, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing pressure on the West to boost support.

Trump called the meeting “couldn’t have been nicer,” acknowledging “rough times” in US–Ukraine relations.

“We’ve had some rough times… I’m going to see if we can end the war,” Trump told reporters.

Zelenskyy called the conversation productive and constructive.

“We covered all the truly important issues,” he wrote on Telegram, adding that they discussed peace efforts, a potential ceasefire, and civilian protection.

Trump, however, later gave a different account:

“We didn’t talk about a ceasefire. I just wanted to know how he was doing.”

A Notable change in presentation

In a symbolic departure from his usual wartime attire, Zelenskyy arrived at the NATO summit in a dark suit-style jacket and collared shirt — a look he had avoided throughout the war. It was the first time in over three years that Ukraine’s president opted for formal civilian clothing at a major diplomatic gathering.

The change was widely noted in both Western and Ukrainian media. While Zelenskyy did not wear a tie, the choice of jacket contrasted sharply with his signature olive drab shirts and combat-style gear. Observers saw it as a calculated shift — a gesture toward diplomatic normalcy and renewed appeal for support from allies.

The moment also carried personal resonance. After a tense meeting in the Oval Office earlier this year, Trump had reportedly made a dismissive comment about Zelenskyy’s attire. Asked then whether he’d consider wearing a suit again, Zelenskyy responded wryly:

“When the war is over.”

Patriot missile systems: Critical to Ukraine’s defense

Asked about supplying more Patriot missile systems, Trump was cautious:

“They do want the Patriots. We are going to see if we can make some available. They are very hard to get and we need them too. We were supplying them to Israel, they are very effective,”

Patriots are critical to Ukraine’s air defense, capable of intercepting Russian ballistic and cruise missiles, which continue to strike Ukrainian cities on a near-daily basis.

Closed-door concern: “Totally out of control”

Bloomberg reported that in a private session with NATO leaders, Trump warned the war in Ukraine is “totally out of control” and that urgent action is needed. He also told leaders he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he did not specify when or under what conditions.

Publicly, Trump referred to “thousands” of battlefield casualties last week, later clarifying the figure included losses on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides.

Ukraine losing ground, under daily fire

Despite continued Western backing, Ukraine is losing territory and enduring heavy casualties. Russian forces are intensifying drone and missile attacks across multiple regions.

This week alone, Ukrainian officials reported that strikes killed at least 19 civilians in Dnipro and 9 in Kyiv.

Meanwhile, a new Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast has opened another front in the north, pushing toward the regional capital and placing additional strain on Ukrainian defenses.

Ukraine’s air defense systems are overstretched, with limited capacity to intercept the growing volume of attacks. Civilians face daily threats.

Western military aid falls short

While the EU has announced €35 billion in financial aid, military support remains limited and slow. With US backing uncertain, European partners have failed to deliver long-range missiles, Western fighter jets, and modern tanks in meaningful numbers.

Ukraine operates with a handful of Western aircraft, aging tanks, and almost no long-range strike capability.

Symbolic support at NATO

At the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned:

“Russia produces in three months what NATO does in a year — with an economy 25 times smaller.”

Zelenskyy also met with top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who offered public reassurance:

“Volodymyr, you are among friends.”

Despite public solidarity, no new binding military commitments were announced during the summit.

Background: Tense history

The meeting in The Hague marked the first substantive conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy since a contentious Oval Office session in February, which ended with the Ukrainian delegation walking out over a disagreement on natural resource agreements.

A planned meeting during the June G7 summit was also canceled, as both leaders departed early due to separate international crises.

Their only other encounter this year was a brief exchange at Pope Francis’s funeral in April.