Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House without a commitment on Tomahawk cruise missiles, after President Donald Trump signalled he was not ready to supply the long-range weapons sought by Kyiv.
Speaking after their cordial bilateral, Zelensky said the two leaders had discussed long-range missiles but agreed not to make public statements on the matter “because the United States does not want an escalation.”
He has argued that access to Tomahawks could allow Ukraine to strike Russian oil and energy infrastructure and sap Moscow’s war economy. The Tomahawk is a U.S. long-range, precision-guided cruise missile.
Trump, whose tone at the White House on Friday was non-committal, said he hoped the missiles would not be needed. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks,” he told reporters, describing the weapon as “a big deal” needed for U.S. defence and warning that their transfer could further escalate the conflict—though he said discussions would continue.
After the meeting, Trump urged Kyiv and Moscow on social media to “stop where they are” and end the war. The encounter followed a phone call a day earlier between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with both sides agreeing to meet soon in Hungary.
Asked by the BBC whether the prospect of Tomahawks had prompted Putin to seek a meeting, Trump replied: “The threat of that is good, but the threat of that is always there.” Zelensky, for his part, suggested Ukraine could offer drones in exchange for the missiles—prompting smiles and nods from Trump—and praised the U.S. president’s role in an initial Middle East peace step, urging him to use that momentum to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pressed outside the White House on whether Putin wants a deal or is buying time, Zelensky said he did not know, adding that Moscow was “afraid” of Ukraine obtaining Tomahawks because they are “a strong weapon.” Asked if he was more optimistic about receiving them, he replied: “I am realistic.”
Zelensky also appeared open to Trump’s suggestion of halting the fighting along current lines. “We have to stop where we are, he is right, the president is right,” he said, adding that the next step would be to talk.
Later on X, Zelensky said he had briefed European leaders and that the priority now was to save lives, secure Ukraine, and strengthen Europe. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the call with European leaders “productive,” pledging continued humanitarian aid and military support.
Source: BBC
SMS/
