Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a highly anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on October 17, 2025, to discuss critical support for Ukraine’s defense, including the sought-after Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. However, the meeting ended without any official announcement or commitment from Trump to supply the missiles, reflecting the US president’s cautious and ambivalent stance on the issue.
Following the cordial discussions, Zelensky refrained from making definitive statements on the missile request, citing that the United States was wary of escalating the conflict further. He acknowledged that the topic was addressed but that both sides agreed not to publicly disclose any decisions, emphasizing the US desire to avoid intensifying the war. Zelensky expressed realism regarding the likelihood of receiving Tomahawk missiles but highlighted Russia’s genuine concern over their potential impact on its war economy, particularly if used to target Russian oil and energy infrastructure.
Trump described the provision of Tomahawks as an "escalation" but did not close off the possibility entirely, stating that the matter would be discussed further. He also underscored the importance of maintaining significant missile stockpiles for the US’s own defense readiness. Trump urged both Kyiv and Moscow to "stop where they are" and seek peace, as he prepared for an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary.
During the meeting, Zelensky proposed an exchange deal whereby Ukraine could offer advanced drones to the US in return for Tomahawk missiles, a suggestion met with cautious approval from Trump. Zelensky praised Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts in the Middle East as an indicator that the US president might leverage his influence to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
The Trump-Zelensky discussions come amid ongoing international diplomatic efforts and preparation for anticipated talks between Trump and Putin, with European leaders emphasizing the necessity of involving Ukraine in any peace negotiations. Zelensky underlined the importance of safeguarding lives, reinforcing security for Ukraine, and promoting unity across Europe as the main priorities in the current phase of the conflict.