Ukraine: Russia attacks again as Zelenskyy meets US senators

• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome
• They discussed improving Ukraine's air defense and toughening sanctions against Russia
• Moscow has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukraine this week, as efforts at diplomacy continue to flounder
• The Ukrainian air force reported multiple drone and ballistic missile attacks on northeaster and eastern Ukraine
• US President Donald Trump, who has grown frustrated with Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress in peace talks, has said he will deliver a "major statement" on Russia on Monday

Here is a roundup of the latest news on Russia's war in Ukraine on Friday July 11, 2025:

07/11/2025July 11, 2025

Trump teases 'major statement' on Russia on Monday

Trump said he is 'disappointed' in Russia but added 'we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks'Image: Alex Brandon/AP/picture alliance

In an interview with US broadcaster NBC News on Thursday, Donald Trump said he would make a "major statement" on Russia on Monday, without providing further details on what that announcement would entail.

"I think I'll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday," the US president said.

Trump this week has expressed his growing frustration with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, after the pair spoke on the phone this week.

Russia has intensified its drone and missile strikes on Ukraine this week, with at least two people killed and over 25 injured in Kyiv on Thursday.

During the interview, Trump also said the US was sending weapons to NATO, adding that the Atlantic Alliance would "100%" be paying for the weapons.

The US president also addressed a proposed bipartisan bill — promoted by Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal — that would slap more sanctions on Russia.

"They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it,” Trump said.

07/11/2025July 11, 2025

Zelenskyy talks air defenses, sanctions with US senators

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with two US senators on Thursday night to discuss improving his country's air defense and toughening sanctions against Russia.

In a post on social media early, Zelenskyy said he had met with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

Graham and Blumenthal are the co-sponsors of a bipartisan bill that calls for a 500% tariff on goods from countries that are still buying Russian oil, gas and uranium, among other exports.

The bill would target countries like China and India, which make up for around 70% of Russian energy exports, which are helping fund Moscow's war in Ukraine.

"Undoubtedly, this is precisely the lever that can bring peace closer and make diplomacy worthwhile," Zelenksyy said.

"Right now, our priority is strengthening air defences. Russia wants to move on to using 1,000 drones in the space of a single attack," he added.

"It is therefore important to boost defences, particularly to invest in interceptor drones. We spoke about continuing supplies from the United States and joint weapons production."

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine was willing to work together with its European allies to buy "large US Defence packages."

On Thursday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had reached an agreement with Germany for Berlin to purchase two US-made Patriot missile defense systems.

The White House said on July 1 that it was pausing shipments of some air defense and precision guided weapons that were due to be sent to Ukraine, but appeared to reverse course amid Russia's ongoing and intensifying air strikes this week.
 

07/11/2025July 11, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome back to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Rome on Thursday to attend an international conference on Ukraine's recovery, amid ongoing efforts to drum up support for Kyiv and toughen sanctions against Russia.

Participants at the conference pledged over €10 billion ($11.7 billion) to help with Ukraine's economic recovery, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

After meeting with the leaders of several of Ukraine's European and international allies, Zelenskyy met with two US senators who are promoting a bipartisan bill that would impose a 500% tariff on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian energy and other exports.

The diplomatic efforts come as Moscow has ramped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine this week. Ukrainian authorities reported more drone and missile strikes overnight on Friday. 

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has said he will deliver a "major statement" on Russia on Monday, without providing further details.

Trump said this week he was "disappointed and frustrated" with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress in peace talks.

Read more about developments on Thursday related to Russia's war in Ukraine.