President Donald Trump signaled to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that he is leaning against selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, while expressing optimism that the war may soon end, reducing the need for such weapons. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks. I think we’re fairly close to that,” President Trump said.This optimism follows his more than two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides are planning for a second face-to-face summit, likely in Hungary. When asked if Zelenskyy would attend, Trump said it was “to be determined,” suggesting a “double meeting” might be necessary due to “bad blood” between the leaders.Zelenskyy argues that long-range weapons are crucial for pushing Moscow toward negotiations.”I’m confident that with your help, we can stop this war,” Zelenskyy said.The Ukrainian leader suggested that the countries could swap weapons with Kyiv, providing drones in exchange for the Tomahawk missiles. President Trump, when asked if the U.S. was interested in such a deal, said, “We are.” But the President also said he was hesitant to tap into the U.S. supply, which is a change after suggesting he was seriously considering sending the missiles to Ukraine.“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,” Trump said. Additionally, Zelenskyy is offering economic and energy partnerships to maintain U.S. engagement, proposing that American companies store natural gas in Ukraine and assist in rebuilding its power grid after Russian attacks. This is part of a broader effort to link U.S. business interests to Ukraine’s recovery, following a mineral deal signed earlier this year.
President Donald Trump signaled to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that he is leaning against selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, while expressing optimism that the war may soon end, reducing the need for such weapons.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks. I think we’re fairly close to that,” President Trump said.
This optimism follows his more than two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides are planning for a second face-to-face summit, likely in Hungary. When asked if Zelenskyy would attend, Trump said it was “to be determined,” suggesting a “double meeting” might be necessary due to “bad blood” between the leaders.
Zelenskyy argues that long-range weapons are crucial for pushing Moscow toward negotiations.
“I’m confident that with your help, we can stop this war,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that the countries could swap weapons with Kyiv, providing drones in exchange for the Tomahawk missiles. President Trump, when asked if the U.S. was interested in such a deal, said, “We are.”
But the President also said he was hesitant to tap into the U.S. supply, which is a change after suggesting he was seriously considering sending the missiles to Ukraine.
“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,” Trump said.
Additionally, Zelenskyy is offering economic and energy partnerships to maintain U.S. engagement, proposing that American companies store natural gas in Ukraine and assist in rebuilding its power grid after Russian attacks. This is part of a broader effort to link U.S. business interests to Ukraine’s recovery, following a mineral deal signed earlier this year.