Zelensky Denied Tomahawk Missiles in Trump Meeting

Ukraine's Long-Range Missile Request Rejected

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House empty-handed on October 17, 2025, after President Donald Trump declined to provide the long-range Tomahawk missiles Ukraine has desperately sought. The meeting, which marked Zelensky's third visit to Trump this year, focused heavily on Ukraine's military needs as the war with Russia approaches its fourth year.

'We have decided not to make statements about that. The United States does not want the situation to get out of hand,' Zelensky told reporters when asked about progress on the missile request. The Ukrainian leader maintained a pragmatic stance, stating 'I am realistic' about the prospects of receiving the advanced weaponry.

Trump's Reluctance and Strategic Concerns

Trump expressed significant reservations about providing the Tomahawk missiles, which can strike targets over 1,550 miles away - potentially putting Moscow and St. Petersburg within Ukraine's range. 'We must also maintain our own stockpile, but we will discuss it,' Trump said before the meeting. 'Hopefully we can end the war without Tomahawks.'

The American president described the missiles as 'a very dangerous weapon' that 'could mean escalation' in the conflict. This position aligns with concerns expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent phone call with Trump, where Putin reportedly 'didn't like the idea' of Ukraine receiving such capabilities.

Budapest Peace Summit Looms

The missile discussion occurred against the backdrop of Trump's announcement that he will meet Putin in Budapest within two weeks for peace talks. Trump revealed he had a 2.5-hour phone conversation with the Russian leader, describing it as productive. 'The most likely is a double meeting,' Trump said about the format, indicating separate sessions with each leader rather than a trilateral summit.

The relationship between the two presidents remains strained, with Trump noting 'there is a lot of bad blood' between Zelensky and Putin. Zelensky countered Trump's optimism about Putin's intentions, stating firmly: 'We want peace, Putin doesn't want [it]. That's why we need pressure on him.'

Drone-for-Missile Proposal

In a creative diplomatic move, Zelensky proposed a potential exchange: 'They can have our thousands of drones, this is where we can cooperate.' This suggestion highlights Ukraine's growing drone manufacturing capabilities, with the country aiming to produce 4.5 million drones in 2025 according to Forbes.

Ukraine has become a global leader in drone warfare, with approximately 500 domestic drone manufacturers producing up to 200,000 First Person View drones monthly. Zelensky emphasized that while Ukraine has drones, 'we have no Tomahawks' - underscoring the strategic imbalance in long-range capabilities.

Evolving US-Ukraine Relationship

The meeting represented significant progress in the Trump-Zelensky relationship, which previously featured public tension. Their first meeting in February ended prematurely after a dispute in the Oval Office, while the August meeting showed improvement. This time, Zelensky described the encounter as 'productive' and expressed confidence that 'Trump wants to end the war.'

Zelensky also congratulated Trump on the recent ceasefire in the Middle East and expressed hope that the American president could achieve similar success in Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian leader emphasized the need for security guarantees, stating 'I am afraid and our country is afraid' of potential Russian attacks during any ceasefire.

As the Budapest summit approaches, all eyes will be on whether Trump can leverage his relationships with both leaders to achieve a breakthrough in one of Europe's most devastating conflicts since World War II.