Zelenskyy says he’ll meet Trump in U.S. to discuss long‑range weapons, air defenses this week
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to the U.S. this week to meet President Trump and press for long‑range weapons and strengthened air defenses, following a series of “very productive” calls and a senior Ukrainian delegation’s Washington visit to negotiate security assistance. Central to the discussions is the possible provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles — which Trump has said he has “sort of made a decision” about and might send if the war continues — an option Washington and European partners are weighing amid concerns over post‑sale controls and strong Kremlin warnings about escalation as Russia steps up strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
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📌 Key Facts
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he will travel to the U.S. this week to meet President Donald Trump at the White House (Zelensky is expected to arrive Thursday with a high-level Ukrainian delegation already in Washington earlier in the week to negotiate weapons deals).
- The agenda for the meetings centers on long-range weapons (including Ukraine’s request for U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles), additional Patriot air‑defense systems, strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses and resilience, long‑range strike capabilities, and energy‑sector issues; Zelensky and Trump said teams will work on concrete agreements.
- President Trump has signaled conditional openness to supplying Tomahawk missiles—saying he has “sort of made a decision,” that he may send them if the war is not settled, that he wants to know where they would be used, and that he might raise the issue directly with Vladimir Putin—while stressing he does not want an escalation.
- U.S. officials show mixed signals: Vice President JD Vance said the administration is “looking at” Tomahawk sales, Special Envoy Keith Kellogg signaled support for Ukraine conducting long‑range strikes, but some administration officials have expressed concerns about post‑sale control of the missiles and discussed having European partners purchase or help finance equipment to show “European skin in the game.”
- The Kremlin and other Russian officials reacted strongly: spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Tomahawk deliveries a matter of “extreme concern,” Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev warned such transfers would be highly escalatory (Medvedev argued in-flight discrimination between nuclear and conventional Tomahawks is impossible), and Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko publicly doubted U.S. deliveries would occur.
- Ukrainian officials and reporting stressed urgency for the capabilities amid intense Russian strikes: Kyiv has suffered large drone/missile/glide‑bomb barrages in recent days that have hit energy infrastructure, caused widespread power outages, damaged hospitals, and produced civilian casualties—context Ukrainian leaders cite to justify requests for long‑range and air‑defense systems.
- Practical caveats noted by experts and some reporting: Tomahawk missiles are typically ship‑ or submarine‑launched, the U.S. has limited ground launchers available for Ukraine, and questions remain about how operational control, basing and post‑sale restrictions would be handled if such weapons are provided.
📚 Contextual Background
- Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 (commonly dated 2022-02-24).
- Since February 2022, attacks on Ukraine have repeatedly targeted the country's energy infrastructure during winter months, employing missiles and attack drones and causing widespread power outages.
📰 Sources (16)
Trump threatens to 'speak' with Putin on giving Ukraine Tomahawk missiles as Russia hits hospital
New information:
- Trump told Fox News aboard Air Force One he might 'speak' with Putin about the implications of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, adding, 'Do they want to have the Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so.'
- Russia struck a hospital in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region with KAB bombs, injuring six patients, hours after Trump’s comments (per Kyiv Independent).
- Zelenskyy reiterated the Washington meeting’s focus on air defense and long‑range capabilities and said he will also meet defense and energy officials, with possible Capitol Hill meetings.
Zelenskyy to meet with Trump over long-range weapons for Russia war
New information:
- Zelenskyy publicly stated Monday he will travel to the U.S. this week to meet President Trump.
- He said the agenda includes long‑range weapons and Ukraine’s air‑defense systems.
- Report source: CBS News video segment by Ramy Inocencio.
Ukraine’s Formula for Peace: Fewer Talks, More Weapons
New information:
- A high-level Ukrainian delegation begins a multiday visit in Washington on Tuesday to negotiate U.S. weapons deals, with Zelensky to follow Friday possibly to finalize agreements.
- Trump, aboard Air Force One, explicitly floated sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if the war isn’t settled: “I might say… I’m going to send them Tomahawks.”
- Experts note Tomahawks are typically ship/sub-launched and the U.S. has limited ground launchers, questioning their battlefield impact for Ukraine.
- Putin said he does not expect Washington to supply Tomahawks and warned against such an escalation.
Trump, Zelensky to discuss Tomahawks for Ukraine at White House Friday
New information:
- A White House official confirmed Trump will meet Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
- The agenda includes whether to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk long‑range cruise missiles and additional Patriot air‑defense systems.
- Trump reiterated he may speak directly to Russia about Tomahawks, calling them a "new step of aggression."
- Zelensky is slated to arrive in the U.S. on Thursday; his chief of staff Andriy Yermak arrives Monday night to prepare for the visit.
Kremlin warns it 'could end badly for everyone' if US supplies Ukraine long-range missiles
New information:
- Kremlin reaction: Dmitry Medvedev warned on Telegram that U.S. provision of Tomahawks to Ukraine 'could end badly for everyone … most of all, for Trump himself.'
- Medvedev argued it is impossible to distinguish nuclear from conventional Tomahawks in flight, framing deliveries as highly escalatory.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News Tomahawks would be used only for 'military goals' and that Ukraine does not target Russian civilians.
Trump warns Russia he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawks if war doesn't settle
New information:
- Trump, on Air Force One, explicitly framed Tomahawks as a 'new step of aggression' and said he might warn Russia he’ll send them if the war isn’t settled.
- Zelenskyy told Fox News the call with Trump was 'very productive' and that 'we work on it' regarding Tomahawks, adding he is 'waiting for president to yes.'
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the Tomahawk topic 'of extreme concern.'
- Context update: Russia conducted overnight strikes on Ukraine’s power grid; a senior Ukrainian delegation will visit the U.S. this week.
Trump mulls Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine if Russia keeps war going
New information:
- Trump’s on‑record quotes calling Tomahawks “an incredible weapon, a very offensive weapon,” and “a new step of aggression.”
- Trump said he spoke with Zelenskyy Sunday morning; Zelenskyy’s X post said their talks covered air defense, long‑range capabilities, and energy sector issues, and that they agreed to continue dialogue.
- Trump said Ukraine “needs Patriots very badly” and that “they’d like to have Tomahawks,” adding he might first “speak to Russia about that.”
- Trump suggested he may tell Putin: “if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.”
- Trump contrasted his approach with the prior administration, claiming Biden “gave Ukraine $350 billion” (presented as Trump’s claim).
Trump May Send Tomahawks to Ukraine
New information:
- Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Tel Aviv, threatened to send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if the war isn’t settled.
- He said he plans to speak directly with Vladimir Putin about Tomahawks, framing them as leverage to push a deal.
- He signaled increased openness to lifting U.S. restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American‑made long‑range weapons to strike inside Russia.
Trump says he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Russia continues conflict
New information:
- Trump, aboard Air Force One on Oct. 12, said he may send Ukraine Tomahawk cruise missiles if Russia does not settle the war soon.
- Trump stated he mentioned the Tomahawk possibility in his call with Zelenskyy earlier the same day and may raise it directly with Russia.
- Direct Trump quotes: calling Tomahawks an 'incredible' and 'very offensive' weapon and 'a new step of aggression.'
- Zelenskyy characterized the call as 'very productive,' citing discussions on air defense, resilience, long-range capabilities, and energy-sector details.
Russia targets Ukraine’s power grid as Moscow expresses ‘extreme concern’ over long-range U.S. weapons
New information:
- Russian strikes hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight in Kyiv region and the regions of Donetsk, Odesa and Chernihiv; two DTEK employees were wounded at a substation (officials).
- Zelenskyy said Russia launched 'more than 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and around 1,360 glide bombs' over the past week and urged tighter secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil.
- Zelenskyy held another call with President Trump on Sunday following a Saturday conversation, discussing air defenses, long‑range capabilities and energy‑sector details; a senior Ukrainian delegation will visit the U.S. this week.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the prospect of U.S. Tomahawk deliveries an issue of 'extreme concern'; Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko publicly doubted the U.S. would send Tomahawks.
- Context reiterated: Trump said last week he has 'sort of made a decision' on Tomahawks; Zelenskyy said 'we work on it' when asked if approval was given.
Zelenskyy touts ‘productive’ talks with Trump on strengthening Ukrainian air defense, long-range capabilities
New information:
- Zelenskyy says he spoke with President Trump for the second time in two days and called the talks 'very productive.'
- Topics included strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, resilience, long‑range strike capabilities, and 'many details' about the energy sector.
- Zelenskyy said Trump is 'well informed' about developments; both agreed to continue dialogue and have their teams prepare next steps.
- Context reiterated: fresh Russian drone/missile attacks causing blackouts and injuries in Kyiv.
Trump, Zelenskyy speak on path to peace for Ukraine in call
New information:
- Zelenskyy publicly urged Trump to broker peace in Ukraine, saying if war can be stopped in one region it can be stopped in others.
- Zelenskyy said he appreciates Trump’s willingness to support Ukraine and that they discussed opportunities to bolster air defenses and are working on 'concrete agreements.'
- Ukraine reported power restored to more than 800,000 residents in Kyiv after a major Russian strike on the power grid; localized outages remain.
Trump and Zelensky discuss Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine, sources say
New information:
- Trump and Zelensky spoke Saturday for about 30 minutes, discussing possible provision of Tomahawk long-range missiles (per two sources).
- Zelensky issued a public statement calling the call 'very positive and productive' and referencing work on 'concrete agreements' to bolster air defenses.
- Zelensky congratulated Trump on the Gaza ceasefire push and linked that success to hopes for ending Russia’s war.
- A senior Ukrainian delegation led by Andriy Yermak and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is expected in Washington next week to discuss security cooperation and sanctions.
- Putin warned that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would mark a 'qualitatively new stage of escalation.'
Trump says he's "sort of made a decision" on supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine
New information:
- President Trump said in the Oval Office on Oct. 6, 2025 that he has 'sort of made a decision' about supplying Tomahawk missiles to NATO countries to be supplied to Ukraine.
- Trump said he wants to know where Ukraine would use the missiles and emphasized he is 'not looking to see an escalation,' signaling conditional approval contingent on Ukrainian plans for use.
- Axios reports Ukrainian officials and a source close to Kyiv said they did not know what Trump's decision was, and administration officials have recent concerns about post‑sale control of missiles.
JD Vance says U.S. "looking at" selling Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine
New information:
- Vice President JD Vance publicly said the U.S. is 'looking at' Ukraine's request for Tomahawk missiles on Fox News Sunday.
- U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg signaled support for Ukraine conducting long‑range strikes.
- Administration framing that Europeans would purchase/pay for weaponry under a policy to show 'European skin in the game' was reiterated.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted publicly, questioning who would launch the missiles (Americans or Ukrainians).
- Contextual operational detail: Russia launched a massive overnight barrage (reported 'more than 600' drones/missiles) that killed four people and wounded dozens in Kyiv — underscoring urgency of the request; Tomahawk range noted as ~1,500 miles.
Zelensky asked Trump for Tomahawk missiles to force Putin to make peace
New information:
- Zelensky requested Tomahawk missiles during a meeting with President Trump on Tuesday (reported Sep. 26, 2025).
- Two sources — a Ukrainian official and a person familiar with the meeting — confirmed the system named was the Tomahawk (manufactured by RTX).
- Article notes Tomahawk range (~1,000 miles) compared with ATACMS (~190 miles) and quotes Zelensky saying possession could pressure Russia to negotiate; Trump said 'we will work on it.'