Washington, D.C. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House this week with hopes of securing a major military boost for Kyiv: U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, capable of striking deep into Russian territory. The missiles, floated earlier by former President Donald Trump as a potential tool to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position, became the center of a high-stakes discussion.
By Friday, however, Zelensky left the meeting visibly disappointed. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, he said the U.S. would not be sending the long-range weapons, though dialogue between the two nations would continue.
“I want not to make statements about it,” Zelensky said, emphasizing that the United States “doesn’t want escalation.” He added, “I think that Russia is afraid about Tomahawks. Really afraid.”
The shift came after a pivotal phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Sources indicate that the call influenced Trump’s decision to hold back the missile transfer. The episode marks another instance of Trump altering his foreign policy stance after direct interaction with Putin, reflecting a pattern observed throughout his previous dealings with the Russian leader.
Trump has publicly acknowledged moments of frustration with Putin. In March, he described himself as “very angry” at the Russian president, and in May, he called Putin’s attacks on Ukraine “absolutely crazy.” By July, he vented that he felt misled by Putin’s promises of peace negotiations that never materialized. Yet, Trump has often re-engaged, seeking a resolution.
Asked Friday if Putin might be manipulating him, Trump acknowledged it was possible, though he expressed confidence in his negotiating skills. “I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well,” he said. “So it’s possible. But I think I’m pretty good at this stuff. I think he wants to make a deal.”
The missile issue has added another layer of complexity to a planned U.S.-Russia summit in Hungary. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
In a social media post on Friday, Trump described his meeting with Zelensky as “very interesting, and very cordial.” He wrote: “I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed… They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!”
Zelensky echoed the sentiment outside the White House, stating, “We have to stop where we are.”
During discussions, Zelensky proposed a potential arms exchange, trading Ukrainian drones for Tomahawk missiles. These long-range weapons can travel more than five times the distance of the Army Tactical Missile Systems provided by the Biden administration in 2023. While Trump initially expressed interest in the drones, he ultimately reiterated that the U.S. needed to retain Tomahawks for national defense.
“They make a very good drone,” Trump said. “But one thing I have to say: We want Tomahawks also. We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country.”
Despite the setback, Zelensky continues to advocate for additional military support, while Trump indicated he hopes peace negotiations could progress without the missile transfer