Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on U.S. President Donald Trump to leverage the momentum from the recent Gaza ceasefire to help end the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. During his visit to Washington, Zelenskiy sought security guarantees and access to Tomahawk missiles, which are critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy.
Speaking alongside Trump at the White House on Friday, Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of a bilateral security agreement, asserting it as “the most important thing.” This meeting came a day after Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a forthcoming meeting in Hungary.
Zelenskiy praised Trump’s role in negotiating a ceasefire in the Middle East, expressing hope that similarly effective efforts could be applied to Ukraine. “President Trump has really showed for the world that he can manage ceasefire in the Middle East and that’s why I hope that he can do this and we can also have such big success,” he stated.
Despite cordial exchanges, significant differences surfaced during the discussions. Trump remarked on his conversation with Putin, suggesting that the Russian leader is eager to reach a peace agreement. In contrast, Zelenskiy maintained that while Ukraine aspires for peace, Putin does not share this goal, stressing the Ukrainian need for advanced weaponry and U.S. support to facilitate a return to negotiations.
Trump expressed reservations regarding Zelenskiy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles, integral to enabling Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. “We need Tomahawks for the United States of America, too,” Trump remarked, indicating uncertainty about fulfilling the request.
Zelenskiy also proposed a trade involving Tomahawks and Ukrainian drones, to which Trump responded that he hoped such a swap would not be necessary. “Hopefully they won’t need it. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks,” he added.
While Trump has recently shown growing frustration with Putin’s continued military actions, he conveyed optimism about future diplomacy, hinting that another summit could lead to a breakthrough.
Currently, nine months into Trump’s second term, the conflict in Ukraine has transitioned into a war of attrition, with Russia sustaining heavy losses while making minimal territorial gains. Both sides are employing long-range attacks to weaken each other’s morale.
Zelenskiy’s visit comes with a comprehensive list of requests, including air defense systems, long-range weaponry, and energy supplies as Ukraine braces for winter. The situation is dire, with Russia escalating aerial bombardments targeting Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Recent air strikes have significantly disrupted Ukraine’s gas production, crucial for heating as winter approaches, leading to power cuts and blackouts in Kyiv.
