Washington, October 19: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday seeking advanced weapons, including long-range Tomahawk missiles, but Trump appeared more focused on brokering a ceasefire than expanding military aid.
After a two-hour meeting, Trump told reporters he had urged both Russia and Ukraine to “stop the war immediately,” even if it means Ukraine conceding territory. “Stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families. Stop the killing,” he said.
Trump, who plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks, did not rule out supplying Tomahawk missiles but stressed that the U.S. wanted to retain its own arsenal. “We want Tomahawks also. We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,” he said.
Zelenskiy acknowledged the difficulty of securing a ceasefire, saying “Putin doesn’t want it,” and emphasized that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for operations against Russian targets. However, he noted Ukraine’s reliance on American missiles to maximize their effectiveness.
The Ukrainian leader described the meeting as “productive” but admitted he was realistic about the likelihood of receiving Tomahawk missiles, noting the U.S. desire to avoid escalation. Zelenskiy also said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin to end hostilities.
Trump’s conciliatory tone and plans to engage directly with Putin have raised concerns in Europe and among analysts that Washington may be prioritizing diplomacy over reinforcing Ukraine’s defense. A European Union spokesperson welcomed the talks if they help bring peace to Ukraine.
More than three-and-a-half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Russia has made some territorial gains in 2025, with President Putin claiming almost 5,000 square kilometres captured, adding to the nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory already under Russian control. Both sides have intensified attacks on energy infrastructure, with Russian drones and aircraft occasionally entering NATO territory.
Experts said supplying Tomahawks could help Ukraine pressure Russia’s military-industrial complex, but Moscow has warned such a move would constitute a serious escalation. Analysts characterized the Trump–Zelenskiy talks as signaling a pause in U.S. military support and a focus on mediation.
During lighter moments of the meeting, Trump complimented Zelenskiy on his dark suit jacket, calling it “very stylish.”
