KYIV/WASHINGTON - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, about strengthening military cooperation and coordinating sanctions against Russia. According to Zelensky's post on the social network X, the conversation was "productive" and focused on the current situation on the front, the escalation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and the need to increase pressure on Moscow. "We coordinated the positions of Ukraine and the US and talked about sanctions against Russia," Zelensky wrote on X.
According to Reuters, Trump warned Russia this week that if it did not agree to a ceasefire by Friday, the US would impose tough sanctions, including 100% tariffs on Russian goods and secondary sanctions on countries trading with Russia.
This ultimatum comes after Trump's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which did not result in concrete progress, as Bloomberg reported. The Trump administration is emphasizing economic pressure as a key tool to stop the conflict, while Zelensky is calling for more military support, particularly in the area of air defense.
According to Bloomberg, Trump had already discussed with Zelensky on July 4, 2025 the possibility of supplying long-range weapons that would allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. According to sources, Zelensky said at the time that Ukraine was ready for such actions if the US provided the necessary equipment.
However, according to The New York Times, the White House downplayed the conversation, stressing that Trump was only asking questions, not urging escalation.
The relationship between Zelensky and Trump has been complicated in the past, especially after their meeting in the Oval Office in February 2025, when there was a sharp exchange over US support for Ukraine. Yet the two leaders are now seeking pragmatic cooperation. Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that any decisions on Ukraine must be consulted with Kiev to avoid unilateral moves.
The phone call comes at a crucial time when Russia is stepping up attacks on Ukrainian cities, which Sky News says is increasing pressure on the international community to take action to stop the conflict. While Trump is pushing a strategy of economic pressure, Zelensky is calling for an acceleration of military aid deliveries.
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