Donald Trump and Vlodymyr Zelensky engaged in a heated discussion during a meeting where the Ukrainian leader was unsuccessful in obtaining Tomahawk missiles. The US president publicly urged both Kyiv and Moscow to halt their violent conflict after a lengthy meeting with Zelensky at the White House. Despite a seemingly more amicable atmosphere compared to their previous Oval Office encounter, tensions were still high.
Trump’s frustration with the ongoing conflict has been evident since his return to office, and he appears to be leaning towards pressuring Ukraine to abandon its efforts to reclaim lost territory from Russia. According to the Financial Times, Trump was frequently using strong language during the meeting, warning Zelensky that Russia could devastate Ukraine if certain conditions were not met.
During the discussions, Trump reportedly pushed for Zelensky to relinquish control of the entire Donbas region, although they eventually settled on supporting a freeze along the current frontlines. Trump also hinted that he was reluctant to provide Zelensky with long-range Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine believed could significantly impact negotiations with Putin.
Zelensky proposed a deal where Ukraine would offer advanced drones to the US in exchange for Tomahawk cruise missiles, but Trump expressed hesitance in tapping into US resources. Despite previous indications of considering sending the missiles to aid Ukraine, Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong supply in case of unforeseen circumstances.
At one point during the meeting, Trump reportedly threw a map of the frontline on the table, expressing his exasperation and stating that he was unfamiliar with the region. Following the meeting, Trump took to social media to call for an end to the bloodshed and suggested that both sides should halt the conflict and let history determine the outcome.
Upon his arrival in Florida, Trump continued to advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities and implied that Moscow should retain the territory it had taken from Kyiv.