Zelenskiy speaks to U.S. envoys, discusses weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed prospects for more active diplomacy and steps toward an accord to end the war with Russia in a phone call with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on July 22. Zelenskiy and the White House confirmed the conversation, and Zelenskiy said both sides would stay in close contact. He also highlighted a focus on expanding Patriot air-defense interceptor production licences, referencing NATO- and U.S.-backed coordination through a scheme known as PURL. Zelenskiy said the talks addressed protecting Ukrainian skies as Russia’s attacks continue. The U.S. previously agreed at a NATO summit in Turkey that it would grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors, amid ongoing drone strikes by Kyiv and continued air-defense needs.