WASHINGTON, Oct 18: President Volodymyr Zelensky returned empty-handed from a White House meeting after US President Donald Trump appeared hesitant about providing Ukraine with much sought after long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, calling such a transfer “not easy.”
After repeated signals from Trump that Washington might supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, a move that could give Ukraine the capacity to strike deep into Russia, Zelensky arrived at the White House on Friday with much optimism.
However, the meeting ended with frustration as Zelensky said though the meeting was cordial, Trump decided not to make statements on the issue “because the United States does not want an escalation”.
Fresh from brokering a ceasefire in West Asia, Trump struck an optimistic tone about achieving peace in eastern Europe, a conflict he has repeatedly claimed he could resolve “in one day.”
“I’m the mediator president, and I’m mediating a not an easy situation,” Trump said. “It should be easy.”
The meeting, held over a working lunch, marked a calmer exchange compared with their heated Oval Office discussion in February, which had reportedly escalated into a shouting match involving Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky.
“I think they’re both doing a great job at negotiating,” Trump said. “We have to get it done.” The US president appeared hesitant about providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, calling such a transfer “not easy.”
“It’s not easy for us to give – you’re talking about massive numbers of very powerful weapons,” Trump told media. “Hopefully, they won’t need it. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks.”
The potential delivery of Tomahawks became a focal point of discussion after Trump recently indicated he might consider supplying the weapons to Kyiv.
Zelensky told media the two sides would continue discussions but declined to elaborate. “I want not to make statements about it,” Zelensky said outside the White House, adding that the “United States doesn’t want escalation.” He added pointedly, “I think that Russia is afraid about Tomahawks. Really afraid.”
Trump’s change of stance on missiles dilvery to Ukraine comes after a lengthy phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who appeared to persuade Trump against the transfer.
Trump’s hesitation over the missile sale now raises the stakes for a proposed summit with Putin in Hungary, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
In a social media post after his meeting with Zelensky, Trump described the talks as “very interesting, and very cordial.” He wrote, “I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed… They should stop where they are. Let both claim victory. Let history decide.”
Zelensky appeared to echo that sentiment. “We have to stop where we are,” he said.
Trump also confirmed that he had held a lengthy phone call with Putin on Thursday, and that the two leaders planned to meet in Hungary in the coming weeks.
However, the President again signaled caution about weapon transfers. “I have an obligation to make sure our country is fully stocked up,” he said. “We’d much rather have the war be over than have to think about Tomahawks.”
According to Trump, his call with Putin included discussion of the missile proposal – and it did not go well. “I did actually say, would you mind if I gave a couple thousand Tomahawks to your opposition? I did say that.”
Trump told reporters. “He didn’t like the idea? Tomahawk is a vicious offensive, incredibly destructive weapon.”
(UNI)
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