US President Donald Trump appeared more interested in securing a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine than providing Kyiv with Tomahawk cruise missiles during his White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said the United States “may need” the missiles for its own defense and urged both nations to “stop the war immediately,” even if it required Ukraine to concede territory.
The Ukrainian leader pressed for the long-range missiles, saying Ukraine’s military was prepared for a major drone offensive but lacked key weapon systems. Trump responded cautiously, suggesting he preferred to retain US weaponry for national security needs. His remarks came after a surprise phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would damage bilateral relations.
Trump’s tone toward Kyiv has shifted repeatedly since returning to office, often softening after direct talks with Putin. The US president confirmed plans to meet the Russian leader in Hungary in the coming weeks, signaling a renewed push for peace talks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has offered to host the summit despite international legal concerns over Putin’s travel restrictions.
While Trump voiced optimism about ending the war, US Vice President JD Vance cautioned that Moscow and Kyiv remain far from reaching a deal. Ukrainian officials, however, framed the situation as a sign that strength and continued Western support could still create “momentum for peace.”