U.S. President Donald Trump told Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that he wants to help with air defense after escalating attacks from Russia, Axios reported, citing an unidentified Ukrainian official and a source with knowledge of the call.

The call lasted about 40 minutes, the sources said. Trump told Zelenskyy he would check what U.S. weapons due to be sent to Ukraine, if any, had been put on hold, one source said, according to Axios.

The call cane a day after Trump said he had a disappointing conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy on Friday posted on X: "I had a very important and fruitful conversation with @POTUS. I congratulated President Trump and the entire American people on the US Independence Day.

"We - in Ukraine - are grateful for all the support provided. It helps us protect lives, safeguard our freedom and independence. We have achieved a lot together with America and we support all efforts to stop the killings and restore just, lasting, and dignified peace. A noble agreement for peace is needed.

"Today we discussed the current situation, including Russian airstrikes and the broader frontline developments. President Trump is very well informed, and I thank him for his attention to Ukraine. We spoke about opportunities in air defense and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies. We have also agreed to a meeting between our teams.

"We had a detailed conversation about defense industry capabilities and joint production. We are ready for direct projects with the United States and believe this is critically important for security, especially when it comes to drones and related technologies.

"We also touched on mutual procurement and investment. Finally, we exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and joint work with the U.S. and other partners."

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war across the capital, hours after Trump's conversation with Putin on Thursday.

Zelenskyy called the attack "deliberately massive and cynical."

A decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances. Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defense systems to bridge the gap.

Trump spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, according to Spiegel magazine, citing government sources. The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, including strengthening its air defense, as well as trade issues, Spiegel reported on Friday.