Ukraine: Trump supports Putin-Zelensky meeting as Kyiv begins anti-drone netting

President Trump has backed leader-level talks between Ukraine and Russia, with President Zelensky saying a meeting with President Putin is expected; Ukraine's defence minister said Kyiv will accelerate installation of anti-drone nets on frontline roads, aiming for 4,000 km by year-end and about 20 km per day in March.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said US president Donald Trump supports leader-level talks between Ukraine and Russia and that a meeting between the two presidents is expected. Zelensky described the comment as coming after a phone call and said the next round of trilateral peace talks should lead to a leaders' meeting. At the same time, Ukraine's defence minister announced plans to accelerate defensive measures along frontline roads. Officials provided targets for installation and a near-term pace for the work. Key developments: - President Zelensky said President Trump backed a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents, following a phone call. - Zelensky said the next round of trilateral peace talks should move talks to the leaders' level. - Defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced an acceleration of anti-drone net installation on frontline roads, with a stated aim of covering 4,000 km by the end of the year and a plan to close about 20 km of roads per day in March. Summary: This report records US support for leader-level talks between Ukraine and Russia and a proposed leaders' meeting as described by Ukraine's president. It also records Ukraine's announced plan to speed the installation of anti-drone nets on frontline roads, with targets given for March and the year-end. The next stated diplomatic step is the upcoming round of trilateral peace talks.