WSJ reports Trump impressed by Ukraine, its drones and Zelenskyy's resilience

The Wall Street Journal has reported that US President Donald Trump has begun to express new optimism about Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent weeks.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to WSJ sources, Trump has been struck by Zelenskyy's resilience as Ukraine conducts combat operations deep inside Russian territory.

The outlet says Trump's position shifted after several meetings on the sidelines of international summits during which the Ukrainian president sought to win over his American counterpart. WSJ sources say this is also part of a coordinated campaign by European leaders to improve relations with the US.

The sources stress that Trump has been impressed by Ukraine's drone industry, especially its ability to defend against the same UAVs that the US is encountering in its war with Iran.

A senior White House official pointed out that Trump likes winners – and Zelenskyy, in the US president's view, is starting to look like one.

At the same time, the WSJ notes that the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting scheduled for 28 July will be the next test of their relationship. It's an open question whether Trump's new-found respect for Zelenskyy will hold, given that the American leader's views sometimes change very quickly.

A White House official stated that the president and his team are committed to playing a constructive role in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine and engaging in talks with both sides, adding that Trump is optimistic about the prospect of a peace deal being reached.

The WSJ reports that Trump's views on the war have also been shaped in some less conventional ways – including by Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who impressed Trump when they met at the Oval Office last month. According to people familiar with the meeting, Usyk told Trump that Ukrainians are fighters and winners.

Notably, CNN previously reported that the peace process between Ukraine and Russia would be the key topic of the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting.

On arriving in the US, Zelenskyy stated that his key priority is anti-ballistic missile capabilities and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

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