President Donald Trump has conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that he is reluctant to proceed with the sale of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This hesitance comes as Trump expresses optimism regarding a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict, suggesting that the need for such powerful weaponry may diminish. Zelenskiy arrived in Washington on October 20, 2023, for discussions with Trump, coinciding with a recent phone call between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the war.
Zelenskiy has been advocating for these missiles, which would empower Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory, targeting critical military installations and energy infrastructure. Despite earlier indications of Trump’s willingness to consider the sale, he has now stated his concerns about depleting the U.S. supply of Tomahawks. “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 remarked. He added, “We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We’d much rather have the war be over, to be honest.”
During their meeting, Zelenskiy congratulated Trump on the recent ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza, emphasizing that Trump now possesses “momentum” to facilitate an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “President Trump now has a big chance to finish this war,” Zelenskiy stated.
Trump’s changing stance on the Tomahawk missiles has disappointed many Ukrainian officials. In previous days, he had indicated a readiness to support Ukraine’s military efforts, even as Putin cautioned that such a move could strain U.S.-Russia relations. Following the Thursday phone call with Putin, Trump appeared to downplay the likelihood of Ukraine receiving the missiles, which have a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers.
Zelenskiy has argued that the potential for Ukrainian strikes using Tomahawks might compel Putin to engage more seriously in negotiations to end the war. During the recent call, Putin warned that supplying Ukraine with these missiles “won’t change the situation on the battlefield, but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries,” according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted the discussions surrounding the Tomahawk missiles have already prompted Putin to engage in talks. “The conclusion is that we need to continue with strong steps. Strength can truly create momentum for peace,” Sybiha commented on social media platform X.
In addition to military discussions, Zelenskiy aims to appeal to Trump’s economic interests by exploring potential energy partnerships. He proposed the storage of American liquefied natural gas in Ukraine’s facilities, which would enhance U.S. presence in the European energy market. Zelenskiy previewed this strategy during meetings with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and leaders from American energy companies, emphasizing the need to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following Russian attacks and to expand the role of American businesses in Ukraine.
This meeting marks the fourth in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskiy since Trump resumed office in January. Following the phone call with Putin, Trump announced plans to meet the Russian leader in Budapest to discuss strategies for ending the war. The evolving dynamics between these leaders illustrate the complexities of international diplomacy amid ongoing conflict.
