Trump to Speak with Putin Before Meeting Zelenskyy Amid Ukraine War

Ukraine's Overnight Attacks

• ⚡ Ukraine's President Zelenskyy reports that Russia launched over 300 drones and 37 missiles in an overnight barrage.
• 💡 This attack occurs as Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House.

Pre-Meeting Call Between Leaders

• 📞 Axios reports that President Trump and President Putin are expected to hold a call today, potentially preempting discussions on Ukraine's defense capabilities.
• 🗣️ Trump is expected to share his perspectives following his call with Putin.

Zelenskyy's Key Asks to Trump

• 💰 A primary request from Zelenskyy will be to choke the money flow into Russia by limiting its oil sales.
• ✈️ Discussions will also cover air defense capabilities and long-range missiles, such as Tomahawk missiles, as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's power grid.
• 🤝 Joint production of drones between the US and Ukraine is also a potential topic.

US Strategy to Stop Russian Funding

• 📉 The Trump administration plans to use sanctions and stop money flowing into Russia, primarily from oil sales.
• 🌏 While Europe has reduced reliance on Russian energy, India and China remain major importers.
• 🤝 Trump reportedly spoke with India's Prime Minister Modi, who assured him India would stop buying Russian oil, though India's foreign ministry stated unawareness of such a conversation.
• 🇯🇵 Pressure is also being applied to Japan, which still imports about 9% of its LNG from Russia, to cease Russian energy imports.