Trump-Putin Call Dims Ukraine's Hopes for US Tomahawk Missiles Amid Rising Tensions
In a recent turn of events, Ukraine's hopes for receiving US Tomahawk missiles have been dashed following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The unexpected phone call, reportedly initiated by Putin, has led to a softening of Trump's stance on Moscow.
Background/Context
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging his allies against appeasing Russia following his trip to the US, where he failed to secure long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. Zelensky had flown to Washington after weeks of calls for the weaponry, hoping to capitalize on Donald Trump's growing frustration with Vladimir Putin.
Key Developments
During Zelensky's visit to Washington, Trump reportedly told the Ukrainian leader that the US does not plan to provide Tomahawk missiles at least for now
. The meeting was described as tense
and not easy
by various sources. Trump also warned Zelensky to accept Russia's terms for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, or risk facing destruction.
The tycoon asked to accept Putin's conditions,
reported Financial Times, echoing similar narratives from South China Morning Post and Folha de S.Paulo.
Meanwhile, Putin, through Kremlin's top aide Yuri Ushakov, urged Trump not to supply Ukraine with the Tomahawk missiles, a weapon long sought by Kyiv that would give it its longest-range strike capability yet and bring Moscow within reach.
Implications or Reactions
Reacting to these developments, Pete Hegseth, the US Defense Secretary, has criticized Russia unusually harshly, just as Ukraine requests Tomahawk missiles from the United States. This comes alongside Zelensky's plea to his allies: Russia is afraid of weapons, let's block them and talk
.
The Ukrainian president also called on European leaders to avoid escalation and showed readiness to negotiate, even expressing his readiness to join Trump's upcoming meeting with Putin in Budapest.
This development has raised concerns in Ukraine. Ukraine should rely not on U.S. Tomahawk missiles — which it is unlikely to receive, or will receive only in limited numbers — but on its own long-range weapons development,
a German expert told Ukrinform.
Current Status
Trump says he will discuss Tomahawk missiles with Zelensky and has also expressed his intention to meet Putin in Budapest, without specifying the date.
Meanwhile, Zelensky, his team, and allies are still working to bring Trump into Ukraine's corner. As the diplomatic wrangling continues, it appears that the fate of Ukraine's request for US Tomahawk missiles hangs in the balance.