Trump, Zelensky to meet in DC on Friday

President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet in Washington, D.C., on Friday to discuss additional air defense systems for Ukraine.

The meeting follows two phone calls between the presidents regarding Ukraine's air defenses and long-range capabilities amid escalating Russian attacks, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Zelensky said on Monday that the phone calls "were not enough" to discuss all the key issues.

This will be the fifth meeting between Trump and Zelensky since the U.S. president started his second term in January. The presidents last met in September in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly.

Zelensky added that Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is leading a delegation that's already en route to the U.S.

"I think we need to discuss the sequence of steps that I want to propose to President [Trump]," Zelensky said.

He previously said that the delegation aims to negotiate the purchase of additional air defense systems, in addition to HIMARS rocket systems, as part of a "Mega Deal" with the U.S.

On Monday, after Zelensky's comments, Trump confirmed the planned meeting.

When asked while aboard Air Force One if he would host Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump replied, "I think so, yeah."

Ukraine has been seeking aid in strengthening its air defenses as Russia escalated its aerial attacks against the country's energy grid. On Oct. 10, a mass strike temporarily knocked out the power supply in Kyiv and across other regions in Ukraine.

Trump has also suggested possibly supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks, long-range cruise missiles capable of striking targets at a range of 1,000 to 1,600 miles.