Ukraine’s hopes of securing Tomahawk missiles have been dashed by the US over fears it would spark an “escalation”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
US President Donald Trump met with the Ukrainian president at the White House earlier on Friday for the third time this year.
Mr Zelenskyy’s priority would have likely been securing Tomahawk missiles after three years of war with Russia, which was left worried by the prospect.
The weapons have a significantly longer range than any other missiles in Ukraine’s armoury.
While Mr Trump did not rule out providing the Tomahawk missiles that Mr Zelenskyy seeks, Mr Trump appeared cool to the prospect as he looked ahead to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks.
‘US doesn’t want escalation’
Following the meeting with Mr Trump, who held a call with Mr Putin on Thursday, Mr Zelenskyy said: “We spoke about long-range (missiles) of course. And I do not want to make statements about it.”
But he added: “We don’t speak about it because… United States doesn’t want this escalation.
“So, I mean, this will be out of the answer – sorry about it.”
Follow updates: Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy proposes ‘drone for Tomahawk’
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plans to secure new missiles had worried Russia. Pic: Reuters
Later, in a post on X, Mr Zelenskyy said he was counting on President Trump to “bring this war closer to an end”.
“We discussed all key issues – our positions on the battlefield, long-range capabilities and air defence, and, of course, diplomatic prospects,” he said.
“Russia must end the aggression it started and continues to deliberately prolong. We count on the United States’ pressure.”
In a roundtable with journalists following the meeting, Mr Trump confirmed that hitting targets deep inside Russian territory would be an “escalation”.
But he did suggest he would be interested in a deal with Mr Zelenskyy that would provide “thousands of drones” to the US in return for the Tomahawks.
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Later on Friday, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he had called Mr Zelenskyy to reiterate his support.
Donald Trump suggested the US could make a deal in future with Ukraine in exchange for drones. Pic: Reuters
‘United Kingdom’s resolute support for Ukraine’
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister spoke to the president of Ukraine, European leaders and the NATO secretary general this evening following President Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House today.
“The leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. A just and lasting peace for Ukraine was the only way to stop the killing for good, they agreed.
“Further discussions about how they could support Ukraine in the lead up to, and following, a ceasefire would continue this week, including in a Coalition of the Willing call on Friday, the leaders agreed.
“Following the call with world leaders this evening, the prime minister then spoke to President Zelenskyy bilaterally to underscore the United Kingdom’s resolute support for Ukraine.”
