Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky departed the White House without securing the much-desired Tomahawk cruise missiles after a meeting with US President Donald Trump. During the cordial bilateral discussion, Zelensky revealed that the two leaders addressed the issue of long-range missiles but refrained from making public statements to avoid escalating tensions. Trump, in a subsequent social media post, urged Kyiv and Moscow to halt hostilities and bring the war to an end. This meeting followed Trump’s phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they agreed to meet in Hungary soon. While Trump did not outright reject the possibility of supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine, his remarks were notably non-committal. He expressed hope that the conflict could be resolved without the need for such weaponry, emphasizing that the US also requires these missiles. Trump acknowledged that providing the missiles could escalate the situation but assured that discussions would continue. When questioned by the BBC about whether the prospect of Tomahawks influenced Putin’s decision to meet, Trump highlighted the deterrent value of the missiles. Zelensky, in turn, suggested a potential exchange of drones for Tomahawks, eliciting a positive response from Trump. The Ukrainian leader also praised Trump’s efforts in brokering Middle East peace, suggesting that similar momentum could be applied to ending the war in Ukraine. Outside the White House, Zelensky admitted uncertainty about Putin’s intentions regarding the upcoming Budapest meeting but noted that the potential acquisition of Tomahawks has instilled fear in Russia due to their formidable capabilities. He maintained a realistic stance on the likelihood of obtaining the missiles, emphasizing their potential to cripple Russia’s war economy by targeting oil and energy facilities. Earlier, Trump had shown openness to the idea of selling Tomahawks, despite Putin’s warning that such a move would strain US-Russian relations. Trump described his recent phone call with Putin as productive, with plans for their teams to meet next week. He also addressed the complex dynamics between Putin and Zelensky, suggesting that while the three leaders would need to convene, their interactions might occur separately. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the BBC spoke with a Kyiv store owner, Volodymyr, whose business was destroyed by Russian missiles. Overcome with emotion, he expressed hope for peace and a desire to live without fear, asserting that truth and democracy would ultimately prevail.
Zelensky guarded on Tomahawk missile talks with Trump after White House meeting
