U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday urged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to strike a peace deal with Russia, dampening Kyiv’s hopes of securing long-range Tomahawk missiles as Washington renews efforts to end the war.
The appeal came a day after Trump agreed to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for a new summit, signaling a major shift from his earlier stance that Ukraine could reclaim all its occupied territories.
“It’s good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but for today, (he) didn’t say ‘yes,’” Zelensky told NBC after meeting Trump at the White House.
Trump described the talks as “very interesting and cordial,” adding in a social media post, “I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory—let History decide!”
Speaking to reporters upon landing in Florida, Trump doubled down: “Ukraine and Russia should stop right now at the battle line. Go by the battle line wherever it is, or else it gets too complicated.”
Zelensky, who has been lobbying for Tomahawks to counter Russian advances, said he was “realistic” about the chances of receiving them, noting that Washington “doesn’t want escalation.”
He also claimed Moscow “fears” the U.S.-made long-range missiles, adding that he would trade “thousands” of Ukrainian drones for Tomahawks if possible.
The Ukrainian president’s trip to Washington followed weeks of renewed calls for heavier weaponry, hoping to tap into Trump’s recent frustration with Putin after a fruitless summit in Alaska.
However, Trump appears increasingly optimistic about a diplomatic solution after a lengthy call with Putin on Thursday, during which they agreed to meet soon in Budapest. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get the war over with, without thinking about Tomahawks,” Trump said.
Zelensky congratulated Trump on his recent Gaza peace deal and expressed hope he could broker a similar breakthrough for Ukraine: “I hope that President Trump can manage it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin confirmed “many questions” remain before the proposed Trump-Putin summit, including negotiating team arrangements. Hungary has offered to host the meeting and ensure Putin’s safe passage despite an ICC arrest warrant.
Since the start of his second term, Trump’s stance on the Ukraine war has fluctuated sharply—from calling Zelensky a “dictator without elections” to now advocating diplomacy.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022 under the guise of a “special military operation,” currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. On Friday, Moscow claimed new gains in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions.
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