Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy in Denmark to discuss cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he hopes to speak with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, by Friday, amid concerns about a US pause in key weapons shipments.

Washington has paused deliveries of Patriot missiles and other critical weapons, citing low stockpiles.

The move comes as Russia intensifies its summer offensive, with frequent strikes on civilian areas.

Kyiv summoned the acting US envoy to stress the urgency of continued military support.

Separately, Zelenskyy urged Europe to lead in defense technology and maintain pressure on Moscow. 

Speaking in Denmark, he called for stronger transatlantic unity and tougher sanctions to help secure peace.

Vladimir Putin held firm on Russia's position over Ukraine during a phone call with Donald Trump, the Kremlin said.

The US president has urged a swift end to the war in Ukraine during the call with Putin that lasted more than an hour.

Following the call, Trump said he "didn't make any progress" on ending the fighting in Ukraine.  

"It was a pretty long call, we talked about a lot of things including Iran, and we also talked about, as you know, the war with Ukraine. And I'm not happy about that," Trump told reporters.

The Kremlin says the Russian president responded by insisting on addressing what he called the conflict's "root causes," a reference to NATO expansion and Western support for Kyiv.

Within hours of the call, an apparent Russian drone attack sparked a fire in an apartment building in a northern suburb of Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said.

A readout provided by Putin aide Yuri Ushakov shows the issue of weapons deliveries to Ukraine did not come up.

Some US weapons shipments to Ukraine remain paused, with Kyiv warning the delay could weaken its defences.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he hopes to speak with Trump soon about the halt in military aid.

There was no discussion of a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Trump.

US President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he would speak with the Russian President on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (14:00 UTC).

"Will be speaking to President Putin of Russia at 10:00 A.M. Thank you!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.  

He did not give any details on what they would discuss.

Trump’s phone call with Putin comes as the Pentagon confirmed earlier this week that it is pausing shipment of some weapons to Ukraine.

Trump is also expected to discuss the US’s pause in weapons deliveries with Zelenskyy on Friday.

Two people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava were killed after Russian attacks, officials said Thursday.

The Ukrainian army reported there were "dead and wounded" in the strikes.

The emergency services posted images of buildings on fire and rescue workers at the scene of the attack.

"Two people were killed and 10 were wounded," the emergency services said.

Russia has increased its drone and missile bombardments on Ukraine as peace talks stutter and concerns grow over US support for Ukraine.

The deputy chief of the Russian Navy, Major General Mikhail Gudkov, has been killed by a Ukrainian missile attack in the Kursk region, a Russian official said Thursday.

Gudkov, 42, had served in the military since 2000 and was made "Hero of the Russian Federation" by President Vladimir Putin in 2023 — the Kremlin's highest honor.

He is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"During combat operations in one of the border areas of the Kursk region on July 2, 2025... Major General Mikhail Evgenievich Gudkov was killed," Russia's state RIA news agency quoted Moscow's defense ministry as saying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Denmark on Thursday as the Nordic country launched its European Union presidency.

Zelenskyy, who landed in Denmark's second largest city, Aarhus, is due to hold talks with
Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, both staunch backers of Ukraine as it continues its attempts to fend off Russia's invasion.

Zelenskyy's trip comes after the Trump administration decided to halt some arms shipments to Ukraine.

"Ukraine belongs in the EU. It is in the interest of both Denmark and Europe. Therefore, the Danish Presidency will do everything we can to help Ukraine on its path towards EU membership," Frederiksen said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy posted on X: "At the working level, Ukraine and the US are clarifying all the details of defense support, including air defense. One way or another, we must ensure protection for our people. There were also discussions about the next steps in relations with the EU, during Denmark's six-month Presidency. We're also working with Denmark and other partners on new agreements for arms production, including joint manufacturing, and preparing updates on interceptor drones."

Fredericksen's government has invested in Ukraine's defense industry and has invited Ukrainian companies to set up shop on safer ground in Denmark.

During his visit to Denmark, Zelenskyy is also set to discuss cooperation in the defense industry and new sanctions against Russia.

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

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Denmark harnessing relations with the Nordic nation, while he will also meet with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Meanwhile, the deputy chief of the Russian Navy, Major General Mikhail Gudkov, has been killed by a Ukrainian missile attack in the Kursk border region.

Stay tuned for more news and analysis.