Zelensky hopes Middle East deal will lead to peace with Russia

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last night, ahead of talks with US President Donald Trump, that the momentum in the Middle East peace process will help end his country's war with Russia, which has lasted more than three and a half years, Reuters reported.

"Tomorrow we have a planned meeting with President Trump and we count on the impulse to curb terror and war that has been at work in the Middle East to end Russia's war against Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"The language of strength and justice will certainly work with Russia as well."

Zelensky did not directly address Trump's agreement, in a phone call on Thursday, to hold new talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But he said it was clear that "after hearing about Tomahawks, Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue," referring to Trump's proposal that he could supply Kyiv with those missiles.

Zelensky said he is meeting with representatives of defense companies, "manufacturers of powerful weapons that can definitely strengthen our defense," including air defense systems to protect against attacks on energy infrastructure.