Zelenskyy Meets Trump on Ukraine War, Proposes Tomahawk Trade Amid Peace Push
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met U.S. President Trump at the White House, discussing weapons and peace. Zelenskyy proposed trading drones for Tomahawk missiles, while Trump expressed optimism for a swift resolution.

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Overview
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met U.S. President Trump at the White House to discuss war strategies and defense needs, following Trump's prior conversation with Russian President Putin.
- Zelenskyy proposed trading drones for Tomahawk missiles and requested enhanced defenses, believing these would compel Russian President Putin into serious ceasefire negotiations.
- President Trump expressed openness to the Tomahawk exchange but prefers ending the war diplomatically, showing optimism for a quick resolution without military action.
- Zelenskyy briefed European leaders on his Trump meeting, emphasizing hopes for a ceasefire, security guarantees, and growing momentum for peace initiatives to end the conflict.
- President Trump plans to meet Russian President Putin in Hungary soon for a summit on the Ukraine conflict, acknowledging Putin's intentions to negotiate a deal.
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Analysis
Left-leaning sources frame the story by highlighting President Trump's perceived inconsistency regarding Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine, often linking his shifting stance to interactions with Vladimir Putin. They use interpretive language like "played down hopes" and "doubtful tone," and editorially observe that his position "has changed a number of times... often following negotiations with Putin," suggesting external influence on his policy decisions.
"Trump has played down hopes that he will supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, saying during a White House meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the US may need them for a future conflict."
"The fight itself has long been in a stalemate."
"The brief but amicable meeting showed an improvement in the ties between the two presidents."
"Trump floated fresh hopes for an elusive peace in Ukraine and hinted Volodymyr Zelenskyy could join his upcoming summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin."
"Trump's comments during a White House meeting with Zelensky reflected a cautious approach to military assistance amid concerns about escalating tensions with Russia."
"Zelenskyy congratulates Trump over landing last week’s ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza."
"Trump appeared to downplay the prospects of Ukraine getting the missiles, which have a range of about 995 miles (1,600 kilometers)."
"Many are weary of the war."
"The key question is whether Trump is dangling the prospect of supplying Tomahawks to pressure Putin, while remaining unwilling to take a step that could bring the US closer to direct confrontation with a leader he still calls a “close friend”."
"The US president, in both public and private, has appeared more willing to allow Ukraine to obtain the long-range missiles in recent weeks, US officials said."
"The mere threat of sending them might be enough to keep Russia in check, analysts say."
"The latest conversation, which lasted more than two and a half hours, appears to have sapped the momentum Zelenskyy had built with Trump, with the US leader now unlikely to show major support for Ukraine before meeting Putin."
"The Kremlin has also learned that offering personal engagement, and holding out the possibility of a short-term win, can be just as effective as any painful compromise."
"Trump announced on social media on Thursday that he and Putin would meet in the Hungarian capital Budapest, after the two leaders held a lengthy and productive phone call."
"The key question, however, is whether Trump is dangling the prospect of supplying Tomahawks to pressure Putin, while remaining unwilling to take a step that could bring the US closer to direct confrontation with a leader he still calls a “close friend”."
"Trump announced a meeting with Putin in Budapest to see if they can bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end."
"Trump is projecting new confidence that he can use a similar tactic to end the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine, which has stretched on for 3-1/2 years with no end in sight."
"Trump’s tough treatment of Zelensky has generally been markedly different from that of his “good friend” Putin, for whom he rolled out a red carpet during their Aug. 15 Alaska summit—complete with flyover and a chauffeured spin in the presidential limo."
"Ukraine is seeking cruise missiles, air defense systems and joint drone production agreements from the United States, Kyiv officials say."
"A massive Russian drone and missile attack has hit gas facilities in eastern Ukraine as the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, flew to Washington for a meeting with Donald Trump to discuss the US providing Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles."
"Trump is showing new confidence that he can finally make headway on ending the Russian invasion."
"Zelenskyy said cold autumn weather had reduced the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defences by 20-30 percent, claiming Russia “deliberately waited” for this."
Center-leaning sources collectively frame the story by subtly questioning the efficacy of Trump's diplomatic approach and highlighting potential inconsistencies between his rhetoric and his administration's actions. They emphasize past difficulties in his dealings with Putin and underscore the complexities of the conflict, even as they report on his optimistic statements.
"Trump has called for Russia and Ukraine to “stop where they are” and quit fighting after concluding talks in Washington Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy."
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy struck a hopeful tone while on a trip to the U.S. on Friday, even though he had not sealed an agreement with President Donald Trump on the delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles — weapons that could be a game-changer in the war against Russia."
"Zelensky was asked by a reporter if he thought Putin wanted a deal or was just buying time with the planned meeting with Trump in Budapest."
"Zelenskyy said he thinks there is "momentum" to end the war."
"The Trump administration is hoping that the increased economic and military pressure will jumpstart the stalled diplomatic track."
"Many are weary of the war."
"Zelenskyy has also struck an optimistic tone, suggesting that diplomatic breakthroughs elsewhere, as Trump has secured a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, could help create momentum for ending the war with Russia."
"Mr. Trump has been considering sending Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine."
"Zelenskyy has been asking the White House for months to give it Tomahawks, which have a range of 1,500 miles and would be a threat to Russia's command and control of the war."
"Ukrainian forces say they have reclaimed some land occupied by Russian troops."
"The decision of whether to send them to Ukraine, though, would depend on the president."
"The two had a more cordial White House meeting in August, and met again during the United Nations General Assembly last month — when that Ukraine could, in fact, win back all the land Russia had seized, and possibly parts of Russia itself."
"Trump is still approaching today’s meeting with optimism after brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas."
"Trump offered a notably more neutral tone about Ukraine following what he described a “very productive” call with Putin."
"Trump boasted that "great progress" was made on the call and that he will be discussing it at his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday at the White House."
"President Trump says he and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Budapest to discuss how to end Russia's war in Ukraine, following what Mr. Trump described as a "lengthy" call with the Russian president Thursday."
"Mr. Trump has talked about slapping new sanctions on Russia, calling it the "aggressor" — although he has so far stopped short of adding to the direct U.S. sanctions imposed by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden."
"Trump said he and Putin "agreed that there will be a meeting of our High Level Advisors, next week," though the location has not been determined."
"Trump's face-to-face meeting with Putin in Alaska in mid-August failed to advance peace negotiations as Trump hoped."
"Donald Trump has been frustrated with Vladimir Putin over his refusal to actually meet halfway in trying to end the war in Ukraine, which has been a goal of the U.S. president since taking office in January."
Right-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's reliance on US leadership and security guarantees. They prominently feature his assertion that "only President Trump has dialogue with Russia," underscoring a narrative of Trump's unique and indispensable role in potential peace negotiations and US foreign policy. This selective focus highlights a key point for their audience.
"Zelensky described their sit-down as 'productive,' but conveyed that the pair had decided to keep their discussions regarding the United States providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine private because the U.S. was concerned about escalation."
"Zelensky proceeded to question if Castronuova had aimed her question at him and then explained that both sides “need to sit and speak,” and added that there needed to be a “ceasefire.”"
"Mr. Zelensky spoke to reporters after the meeting, calling it “productive.”"
"Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s need for security guarantees from other countries."
"Trump's very avidity for a deal is what has made him such a pliant object in the hands of Putin, a former KGB agent who has a shrewd understanding of his counterparts."
"President Donald Trump says he is confident a deal can be reached to end the war between Ukraine and Russia."
"Zelenskyy suggested they would trade the U.S. drones for some Tomahawks, arguing that both should be needed by America."
"Zelenskyy on Friday said he has a "proposition" for President Donald Trump to exchange drone capabilities for American high-precision long-range Tomahawk missiles."
"Trump expressed hope that he would be able to resolve the war without sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine."
"Trump said Friday that "tremendous bad blood" between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin is delaying a peace deal in Ukraine despite the administration's recent victory with calming tensions in Gaza."
"Zelenskyy emphasized the security guarantees are essential for a ceasefire because Russian President Vladimir Putin could renege on any deal and resume hostilities."
"The past few meetings between Trump and Zelensky have been noticeably positive, a marked turnaround from their infamous February blowup in the Oval Office."
"Trump and Zelenskyy will discuss Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk missiles that would allow it to strike deep into Russia."
"President Trump is resuming his efforts to end Russia's war on Ukraine."
"The meetings came as Russia launched more drone and missile strikes against Ukraine, hitting “civilian infrastructure” in the city of Kryvyi Rih on Thursday."
"The meeting, announced earlier this week, comes just one day after Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
"Zelensky’s chances of convincing Trump to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles that can reach 1,000 miles into Russia appear to have dissipated on Thursday after Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
"Mr. Trump says that he and Mr. Putin agreed to meet at Budapest sometime in the near future during a phone call on Thursday."
"Putin has outflanked Ukrainian President Zelensky, who will meet at the White House with Trump tomorrow."
"Now that he has a framework in place in the Middle East, President Trump can train his sights squarely on the war in Ukraine."
"Trump announced following the call that he and Putin will meet in Budapest, Hungary, to see if they can bring the 'inglorious' War between Russia and Ukraine to an end."
"The deployment of Tomahawk missiles requires technology and military infrastructure that the war-ravaged nation lacks, meaning successful launches would likely require direct U.S. assistance — a serious escalation of the nation’s involvement in the conflict."
"The announcement for the Trump-Putin call comes just hours after Russian missile and drone strikes pounded Ukrainian cities and energy sites in the early hours of Thursday morning."
"Trump is showing new confidence that he can finally make headway on ending the Russian invasion."
"The back-to-back engagements highlight the administration's attempt to pressure Moscow while keeping diplomatic options open."
Articles (67)
FAQ
The proposed trade aims to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities by acquiring Tomahawk missiles, which could increase pressure on Russia to negotiate a ceasefire by allowing Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory.
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