Zelensky meets with US Congressman McCaul in Kyiv; discusses defense cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Friday, July 10, in Kyiv with Michael McCaul, Chairman Emeritus of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and a Republican. The sides discussed the current situation in the war and future possibilities for Ukraine-U.S. defense cooperation.

Zelensky thanked McCaul for bipartisan support and attention to Ukraine. McCaul, in turn, congratulated Ukraine on the successful outcomes of the NATO summit in Ankara. The president briefed him on the results of his meeting with the U.S. president, emphasizing that the summit was a success for Ukraine.

A key topic was licenses for the production of future Patriot systems in Ukraine. Zelensky noted that this is very important and expressed hope that it can be implemented quickly at the command level.

They also discussed the situation on the front line, including Russian strikes deep into Ukrainian territory and Ukraine's long-range sanctions. The president stated readiness to develop this direction, especially in drones, with partners who have supported Ukraine since the beginning. He mentioned the Drone Deal format as a possible mechanism for cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that McCaul visited the front line during his trip, becoming the first U.S. congressman to do so. Earlier, Zelensky met with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who on July 10 announced an agreement with the White House on a version of the sanctions bill against Russia.