U.S. President Donald Trump hinted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday his inclination against selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, while expressing hope that the ongoing conflict is nearing a resolution that would reduce the necessity for such potent weaponry.
At the outset of their discussions at the White House, Zelenskyy proposed a deal where Ukraine would offer advanced drones to the United States in exchange for the long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles that Ukrainian officials believe are crucial to press Russian President Vladmir Putin into taking peace negotiations seriously.
However, Trump expressed reluctance to deplete the U.S. Tomahawk inventory, a shift from his recent contemplation of sending the missiles to assist Ukraine in repelling Russia’s invasion. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the country’s stockpile for unpredictable wartime scenarios, stating a preference for peace over the need for Tomahawks.
Zelenskyy and his delegation conferred with Trump and his team during a lunch meeting following a lengthy phone call between the U.S. president and Putin to address the conflict. Commending Trump on his recent success with a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza, Zelenskyy expressed optimism that Trump’s efforts could lead to a resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Later in the day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to urge both Kyiv and Moscow to halt hostilities and end the war. Zelenskyy, speaking outside the White House, conveyed his belief that Trump shares a genuine desire to cease the conflict.
Trump’s wavering stance on providing Tomahawks has disappointed Ukrainian officials, who had seen a glimmer of hope in his willingness to support their acquisition despite Putin’s warnings of strained U.S.-Russian relations. Following his call with Putin, Trump appeared to dampen expectations of Ukraine acquiring the missiles with a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers.
Zelenskyy had been advocating for the Tomahawks to enable Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory and target critical military installations, energy sites, and vital infrastructure. Despite Putin’s caution to Trump about supplying Kyiv with the missiles, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted the importance of leveraging strength to drive momentum toward peace talks.
In addition to seeking military aid, Zelenskyy aims to discuss potential energy deals with the U.S., proposing to store American liquefied natural gas in Ukraine’s storage facilities to enhance U.S. presence in the European energy market. This strategy was previewed during Zelenskyy’s meetings with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and American energy executives.
The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy marked their fourth in-person encounter since Trump’s return to office, with plans for a forthcoming meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest to explore avenues for ending the conflict. Trump hinted at the possibility of a joint meeting involving Zelenskyy and Putin’s senior aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to facilitate productive discussions between the warring nations.
Amid escalating tensions, Trump’s peace efforts have faced challenges, with Zelenskyy and Putin yet to engage in direct talks despite initial optimism following diplomatic engagements earlier in the year. Trump remains determined to navigate the complexities of the conflict, acknowledging the intricate dynamics between the leaders involved.
