U.S. President Donald Trump indicated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday his inclination against selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. However, he expressed hope that the ongoing conflict might soon reach a resolution, potentially eliminating the need for such potent weaponry.
During the initial talks at the White House, Zelenskyy proposed a deal where Ukraine would offer advanced drones to the United States in exchange for the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which Ukrainian authorities believe are crucial in pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage seriously in peace negotiations.
Despite previous indications of considering sending the missiles to aid Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, Trump voiced reluctance to deplete the U.S. Tomahawk inventory, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the country is well-equipped for any unforeseen war scenarios.
Both leaders engaged in discussions along with their respective teams following a recent phone call between Trump and Putin regarding the conflict. Zelenskyy commended Trump for brokering a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza, expressing optimism that the U.S. president’s efforts could help resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged both Kyiv and Moscow to halt hostilities and end the war. Zelenskyy, speaking outside the White House, expressed trust in Trump’s commitment to seeking an end to the conflict.
Trump’s evolving stance on providing Tomahawks has disappointed Ukrainian officials who had hoped for U.S. support. While Trump had shown openness to the idea earlier, his recent communication with Putin seemed to dampen the prospects of Ukraine acquiring the missiles with a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers.
Zelenskyy had been advocating for Tomahawks to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities, enabling strikes deep into Russian territory to target critical military installations and infrastructure. The potential for such strikes was believed to compel Putin to take Trump’s peace negotiation calls more seriously.
The Ukrainian side also hinted at discussing energy deals with the U.S. to appeal to Trump’s economic interests, including the possibility of storing American liquefied natural gas in Ukraine’s facilities to establish a U.S. presence in the European energy market.
This meeting marked the fourth in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump’s return to office, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict. Plans for Trump to meet Putin in Budapest and for senior aides to engage in talks next week signify continued efforts to find a resolution to the crisis.