Trump, Zelenskyy Talk Missiles and Energy Deal Options/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump hosted Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy at the White House for talks on the war with Russia. Trump appeared unwilling to provide long-range Tomahawk missiles after speaking with Russian President Putin. Zelenskyy pivoted toward proposing U.S.-Ukraine energy partnerships and stressed the urgency of peace negotiations.
Trump-Zelenskyy Talks Quick Look
- White House Meeting: Trump and Zelenskyy met Friday to discuss Ukraine’s war effort and future U.S. support.
- Missile Hesitation: Trump pulled back on offering Tomahawk missiles, citing U.S. stock concerns and Putin’s warning.
- Putin’s Role: Putin warned missile transfers would harm U.S.-Russia ties but wouldn’t change battlefield dynamics.
- Energy Pitch: Zelenskyy proposed U.S. LNG storage in Ukraine to deepen economic ties and American energy presence.
- Diplomatic Momentum: Trump plans to meet Putin in Hungary; staff talks are expected to continue next week.
- War Outlook: Trump claims resolving the Ukraine conflict is his top foreign policy priority after the Gaza ceasefire.
- Missile Debate Impact: Ukraine says even the talk of missile transfers helped pressure Russia toward talks.
- Next Steps: Trump suggested indirect negotiations between Zelenskyy and Putin may be necessary due to their poor relations.
Trump Hosts Zelenskyy at White House, But Hesitates on Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday for high-stakes talks on the future of U.S. support for Ukraine’s war effort — but showed reluctance to fulfill Kyiv’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
The two leaders met over lunch as Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on, just a day after Trump held a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss potential steps toward peace. While Ukrainian officials hoped to secure a green light for the advanced missile systems, Trump indicated he’s not ready to make that commitment.
“We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too,” Trump told reporters. “We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean we can’t deplete our country.”
The Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can travel nearly 1,000 miles, would give Ukraine the ability to target deep into Russian territory — including military command centers, energy infrastructure, and weapons depots. Zelenskyy has argued that the added firepower would pressure Moscow to take negotiations more seriously.
Zelenskyy Praises Trump, Pushes for Peace Deal
At the start of the talks, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for helping broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas just days earlier, suggesting the success could translate into progress in Ukraine.
“President Trump now has a big chance to finish this war,” Zelenskyy said, calling for momentum toward a negotiated peace.
While Zelenskyy publicly praised Trump’s diplomatic influence, the Ukrainian side came into the meeting with a specific wishlist — most notably the Tomahawk missiles. But Trump’s tone on Friday reflected a growing cautiousness after his conversation with Putin.
Putin Issues Warning Over Missile Supply
Kremlin officials had warned Trump that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks would escalate tensions between Washington and Moscow. According to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov, the Russian leader told Trump such a move “won’t change the situation on the battlefield, but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries.”
Despite that warning, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the mere discussion of missile transfers had already pushed Moscow closer to negotiations.
“Strength can truly create momentum for peace,” Sybiha wrote on social media Thursday evening.
Energy Deals on the Table
Facing resistance on weapons, Zelenskyy has shifted focus toward economic cooperation and energy partnerships. According to Ukrainian officials, one proposal involved storing American liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Ukraine’s gas facilities, which would help U.S. firms gain stronger footing in the European energy market.
Zelenskyy previewed the pitch on Thursday during meetings with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and several American energy executives.
“We must rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and expand the presence of American businesses in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
A War Still Without a Clear Path Forward
Friday’s White House meeting was the fourth in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump returned to office in January, and their second meeting in just under a month. While both sides have expressed a desire to find an off-ramp to the war, real progress remains elusive.
Trump revealed plans to meet face-to-face with Putin in the coming weeks in Budapest, Hungary. In the meantime, senior officials from both nations — including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — will meet at a yet-to-be-disclosed location for preparatory discussions.
“Finding an endgame in Ukraine is now my top foreign policy priority,” Trump said, touting the Gaza ceasefire as evidence that diplomacy can work under his leadership.
Trump Softens Tone, But Offers No Guarantees
In a shift from his previously hard-line stance, Trump recently said he believes Ukraine has a path to regaining all territory lost since Russia’s invasion — a significant departure from earlier comments urging Kyiv to make territorial concessions for the sake of peace.
Still, he now appears to favor indirect negotiations, acknowledging the personal animosity between Zelenskyy and Putin.
“They don’t get along too well those two,” Trump said. “So we may do something where we’re separate. Separate but equal.”
Trump’s evolving position reflects both the complexity of the conflict and growing international pressure for the U.S. to help broker a deal. However, with Congress still stalled over funding and Trump facing criticism from both sides about his Ukraine strategy, his next steps remain uncertain.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump hosted Zelenskyy for White House talks Friday amid ongoing Ukraine-Russia war
- The U.S. president signaled reluctance to send Ukraine Tomahawk cruise missiles
- Putin warned that providing the missiles would harm U.S.-Russia relations
- Zelenskyy shifted focus to potential U.S.-Ukraine energy partnerships
- Trump plans to meet Putin in Hungary to continue peace efforts
You must Register or Login to post a comment.