UPDATE 1-Zelenskiy spoke with Trump ahead of peace deal deadline

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that he had had a "productive" conversation with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump that covered ending the war, sanctions on Russia and the finalisation of a U.S.-Ukraine drone deal.

Trump, who has signalled frustration with Vladimir Putin in recent weeks, has given the Russian president until August 8

to make peace in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions. "President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities," Zelenskiy wrote on X, referring to intensifying drone and missile attacks.

He added that Ukraine was also ready to conclude a deal with the U.S. on the production of Ukrainian drones that would amount to "one of the strongest agreements". Ukraine is increasingly seeking financing and investment from its foreign partners to bolster its burgeoning domestic arms industry.

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