Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on Friday, as the US weighs the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory.
This high-profile meeting follows President Trump’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Trump described as “very productive” and marked the first communication between the two leaders since mid-August. During their call, the leaders agreed to hold face-to-face talks in Hungary in the coming weeks.
Trump-Putin Call Shakes Up Ukraine-US Relations
President Trump shared on his Truth Social platform that discussions with Putin included plans for future trade between the United States and Russia once the war in Ukraine ends. He also announced that senior advisors from both countries, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would convene next week to continue diplomatic talks.
The unexpected development ahead of Zelensky’s visit to Washington adds a new dimension to ongoing US-Ukraine relations. Trump has promised to update Zelensky on the outcomes of his conversation with Putin during their meeting.
Zelensky Pushes for Advanced Weaponry Amid Diplomatic Moves
Zelensky, arriving in the US for his third visit since January, has urged the US to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of approximately 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles). These missiles would significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to target strategic locations deep inside Russia.
Earlier this week, when asked if Trump was considering supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine, Trump responded cautiously, saying, “We’ll see… I may.” However, following his call with Putin, Trump expressed concerns about depleting the US stockpile of Tomahawks, stating, “We need them too… so I don’t know what we can do about that.”
Looking Ahead: Trump-Putin Summit in Hungary
President Trump revealed plans to meet President Putin in Hungary within the next two weeks, signaling an ongoing effort to engage Russia diplomatically amid the conflict in Ukraine.
