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Trump told Zelenskyy he's unlikely to sell Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, saying the US must prioritize its defense and that peace talks with Putin could soon make the weapons unnecessary.
US President Donald Trump welcomes his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. (Reuters Photo)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 18, 2025 04:06 IST
US President Donald Trump signaled during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he is leaning against selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles. The meeting took place at the White House, just a day after Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s hesitation followed his earlier openness to sending the powerful missiles, a key Ukrainian request. He said his decision was based on maintaining US defense readiness and optimism that the war may soon end, reducing the need for such weapons.
ZELENSKYY PITCHES DRONES-FOR-MISSILES DEAL
At the start of their meeting, Zelenskyy proposed that Ukraine could supply advanced drones to the United States in exchange for Tomahawk cruise missiles. Ukrainian officials have described the missiles as crucial leverage to push Putin toward serious peace talks.
Trump, however, appeared cautious. “I have an obligation also to make sure that we’re completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what’s going to happen in war and peace,” he said. “We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We’d much rather have the war be over, to be honest.”
The White House meeting lasted over two hours — longer than expected — as both sides discussed possible steps toward ending the war.
AFTER PUTIN CALL, TRUMP'S TONE CHANGES
Trump’s hesitation came after his Thursday phone conversation with Putin, during which the Russian leader warned that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks “won’t change the situation on the battlefield” and would damage US-Russia relations, according to Associated Press.
In recent days, Trump had hinted at approving the sale, but following the call, he downplayed the prospect. The Tomahawks, capable of striking targets nearly 1,600 kilometers away, would give Ukraine the ability to hit deep into Russian territory.
Despite Trump’s shift, Ukrainian officials insisted the mere discussion of the missile deal had already pressured Moscow. “Strength can truly create momentum for peace,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.
ZELENSKYY SAYS TRUMP HAS MOMENTUM TO END WAR
Zelenskyy, for his part, congratulated Trump on his role in securing the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal last week, saying the US president now has “momentum” to stop the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “President Trump now has a big chance to finish this war,” he said.
Trump, who has promised since his campaign days to end the war quickly, said future talks with Putin are planned in Budapest, Hungary. Whether Zelenskyy joins those discussions remains “to be determined,” he said, suggesting a possible “double meeting” to keep both leaders engaged.
“These two leaders do not like each other,” Trump remarked. “We want to make it comfortable for everybody.”
TRUMP BALANCES HOPE AND CAUTION
Trump admitted the possibility that Putin could be stalling but said he was prepared. “I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out pretty well,” he said. “I think I’m pretty good at this stuff.”
It was the fourth in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since his return to office, underscoring Washington’s continuing, if cautious, role in navigating one of the world’s most dangerous conflicts.
- Ends
With inputs from Associated Press
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
Oct 18, 2025
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