Zelensky ‘realistic’ about getting US Tomahawks after Trump talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he was “realistic” on chances of receiving US Tomahawk missiles after President Donald Trump told him he did not want escalation.

Zelensky visited the White House a day after Trump spoke by telephone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.(AP)
Zelensky visited the White House a day after Trump spoke by telephone with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.(AP)

Zelensky visited the White House a day after Trump spoke by telephone with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and agreed to meet the Russian leader a second time this year, this time in Budapest.

Speaking with reporters after his meeting, Zelensky said he and Trump had discussed Tomahawks, which have a range of 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles), but that there would be no announcement.

A Ukrainian source said Zelensky had presented maps of potential targets inside Russia to Trump.

“I think that Russia is afraid about Tomahawks, really afraid, because it’s (a) strong weapon, and they know what we have, what kind of weapon we have, our production, and they understand that combination,” Zelensky said, apparently referring to Ukrainian drones.

Asked if he left the meeting more or less optimistic about the chances of the United States giving Tomahawks, Zelensky said, “I’m realistic.”

“We decided that we don’t speak about it because nobody wants — I mean, the United States doesn’t want — escalation,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president said that after his talks with Trump, he immediately joined a call with European allies including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

European leaders came to the White House jointly with Zelensky on his last visit in August, which was on the heels of Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska.

In February, shortly after Trump returned to the White House, Trump and Vice President JD Vance had publicly berated Zelensky for alleged ingratitude over US weapons.

Asked if he needed European backing after Trump’s new plans to see Putin, Zelensky said, “I didn’t call them to have the support. I know we have this support.”

Zelensky also said he was open to a three-way meeting with Trump and Putin at a future date, without commenting on any prospect of joining them in Budapest.

Source link

Visited 2 times, 2 visit(s) today

Related Article

Inside Washington

MTG names her one positive to come from the shutdown: the end to ‘taxpayer-funded weather modification’ that isn’t really happening

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claims the ongoing government shutdown has halted “taxpayer-funded weather modification experiments” that U.S. government agencies say they weren’t already involved in.

18 October 2025
ET logo

IMF chief hopes for easing of US, China tensions to avoid hit to global economy

International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva on Friday said she hoped the U.S. and China could ease trade tensions and avoid a cutoff in the flow of rare earths to the global economy that she said would have a “material impact” on growth. Such a scenario would exacerbate uncertainty and hurt an already weakened global

18 October 2025

Why is the Trump administration sending the military to Venezuela? : The NPR Politics Podcast : NPR

Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton, arrives for his arraignment at the Greenbelt Federal Courthouse in Greenbelt, Md., on Oct. 17, 2025. Rod Lamkey/Associated Press hide caption toggle caption Rod Lamkey/Associated Press The Justice Department indicted former National Security Adviser John Bolton on charges related to mishandling classified information. Bolton was a vocal

18 October 2025
A hand looking at the back of an iPhone box.

These Secret Codes Reveal Hidden Tricks On Your iPhone 17

The Apple iPhone 17 is a big step-up from previous generation models, with a more durable design front and back, new processor, improved battery life, brighter screen, Center Stage camera and other camera features, plus more upgrades. The line includes the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and

17 October 2025
Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton, left, departs following his arraignment at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Friday.

Inside the quiet, yearslong investigation into John Bolton

By the time FBI Director Kash Patel took office in February, the investigation into whether John Bolton mishandled classified information had been in the works for roughly three years. President Donald Trump had long been calling for Bolton – and other perceived political enemies – to be prosecuted, and the Maryland US Attorney’s office had

17 October 2025
Pilots Sending Free Food to Air Traffic Controllers During Shutdown

Pilots Sending Free Food to Air Traffic Controllers During Shutdown

They’re keeping the skies safe without a paycheck — and now, airline pilots are sending lunch as a thank you. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told Business Insider on Thursday that airline pilots, flight attendants, and even their Canadian counterparts are buying and delivering free food to air traffic controllers

17 October 2025