In a significant and tense meeting on Friday, President Donald Trump informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he does not plan to provide long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine at this time, according to two sources who were briefed on the discussions. This decision is critical as Zelensky aimed to secure commitments for new military support during his visit to Washington, but instead encountered a starkly different outlook from Trump, particularly following his lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump's current focus appears to be on diplomacy, with the belief that supplying Tomahawks could jeopardize ongoing negotiations. Sources indicate that the meeting was challenging; one source described it as "not easy," while another referred to it simply as "bad." Although the exchange did not escalate to shouting, Trump maintained a tough demeanor throughout the discussions. At times, the conversation became emotional, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The meeting culminated after approximately 2.5 hours, with Trump stating, "I think we're done. Let's see what happens next week," alluding to the upcoming talks between the United States and Russia. Trump is expected to meet Putin in Budapest within the next two weeks, further emphasizing his commitment to diplomatic efforts.
During the meeting, Trump provided Zelensky with an overview of his recent call with Putin, emphasizing that the current U.S. proposal seeks a diplomatic resolution where the front lines remain unchanged—a difficult proposition for Ukraine to accept. Following the meeting, Trump took to Truth Social to describe the encounter as "interesting and cordial," reiterating his stance that it was time for both countries to pause and allow history to determine the outcome.
Following his departure to Mar-a-Lago, Trump did not take questions from the press, and the White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the meeting.
Immediately after the meeting with Trump, Zelensky held a conference call with European leaders. Many participants expressed confusion regarding Trump's apparent shift in stance. Shortly thereafter, coordinated statements of support for Ukraine were issued, signaling that the meeting with Trump did not yield the desired results for Zelensky.
In a briefing with reporters, Zelensky confirmed that the topic of Tomahawks was discussed but noted that he and Trump agreed to refrain from public discourse on the matter to prevent escalation. When asked about his optimism regarding the acquisition of Tomahawks, Zelensky remarked, "I'm realistic." Sources indicated that while Zelensky pressed hard for Tomahawk support, Trump remained inflexible in his position.
During the same call with European leaders, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested collaborating with the U.S. to draft a peace proposal for Ukraine based on Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza. Additionally, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte proposed an urgent follow-up discussion between European national security advisers over the weekend to address the evolving situation.
The bottom line remains clear: Zelensky's primary goal during his visit was to secure commitments from Trump concerning not only Tomahawks but also a variety of military systems that Ukraine seeks to acquire. However, Trump's firm refusal to provide any such commitments highlights the complexities and challenges facing Ukraine amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
