In a recent meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to secure Tomahawk missiles from Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, but left without the desired outcome. The meeting took place on a Friday in Washington, where Zelensky expressed his hope that these long-range cruise missiles could significantly impact the Kremlin's war economy by allowing precise strikes on critical oil and energy facilities deep within Russia.
During the opening remarks of a White House working lunch, Trump articulated his vision for resolving the ongoing conflict, suggesting that a resolution should be achieved “without thinking about Tomahawks.” He emphasized that the Tomahawk missile is a strategic asset that the U.S. “needs.” This statement indicated a reluctance to provide Ukraine with the missiles, which left Zelensky without the support he was hoping for. Despite this, Zelensky characterized the meeting as “productive,” although he refrained from commenting further on the Tomahawk situation, citing the U.S. stance against escalation.
Shortly after the meeting, Trump made a public appeal for both Kyiv and Moscow to “stop the war immediately.” He advised that both sides should adhere to existing battle lines to simplify the resolution process, stating, “You stop at the battle line.” Trump urged for an end to the conflict, encouraging both sides to return to their families and halt the violence. This sentiment was said to have been communicated to both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting occurred just a day after Trump had a phone conversation with Putin, where plans for a future meeting in Hungary were discussed. During this call, Putin reportedly dismissed the idea that Tomahawk missiles would significantly alter the battlefield dynamics, arguing instead that their introduction could harm U.S.-Russia relations.
Ukraine's interest in acquiring Tomahawk missiles stems from their extended range compared to the current arsenal available to Ukrainian forces. Although Trump has moderated discussions regarding their potential delivery, he has not entirely ruled it out. In the lead-up to the meeting, Zelensky hinted at a possible exchange, proposing that the U.S. could receive thousands of Ukrainian drones in return for the Tomahawk missiles, stating, “They (U.S.) can have our thousands of drones, that’s where we can work together.”
Following his discussions with Trump, Zelensky briefed European leaders virtually, who reiterated their “unwavering commitment to Ukraine” amid escalating Russian aggression. Zelensky expressed his confidence in Trump's desire to conclude the war, citing Trump's previous successes in managing complex situations in the Middle East.
During the discussions, Trump refrained from commenting on whether Ukraine might need to cede territory as part of any peace agreement with Russia. He has previously expressed conflicting views on this matter; before a meeting with Putin in August, he suggested that “land swaps” could be necessary, but later asserted his belief that Ukraine could regain all territories currently occupied by Russia. On Friday, he acknowledged the possibility that Putin may be attempting to delay negotiations to fulfill his war objectives but concluded, “I think that he wants to make a deal.”
In a reflective comment, Trump noted, “You know, I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well,” suggesting his experience in negotiations may inform his approach to the Ukraine crisis.
