Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Finnish President Alexander Stubb for his 'thorough understanding' of Kyiv's needs as they held a meeting in Washington, DC.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy shared on the US social media platform X that he and Stubb exchanged details concerning their meetings in the US and discussed the 'current prospects in diplomacy.' Zelenskyy mentioned that Russia is facing significant challenges both on the battlefield and economically. He noted that the Finnish president praised Ukraine's successful long-range strikes in Russia.

Zelenskyy emphasized their efforts to enhance the protection of Ukrainians from Russian attacks and expressed appreciation for Stubb's understanding of Ukraine's needs, particularly the urgent requirement for missiles for the Patriot defense system. He mentioned that discussions also covered diplomatic matters, with preparations underway for 'important' meetings in August.

The Ukrainian president arrived in the US earlier in the day to attend the funeral service of the late US Senator Lindsey Graham. Before his meeting with Stubb, Zelenskyy held discussions with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Later Tuesday, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with a bipartisan group of senators as the US Senate gears up for its first vote on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions Act targeting Russia and Iran.