Zelensky to Urge Missile Aid as Trump and Putin Plan Summit

Published: 17 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. English Chronicle Online

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, seeking support for long-range Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory. The meeting follows Trump’s recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the two leaders agreed to hold face-to-face talks in Hungary. Trump described the call—the first since mid-August—as “very productive,” adding that high-level delegations from Washington and Moscow would meet next week to further discussions.

Zelensky, arriving in the US for his third visit since January, stressed the urgency of providing Ukraine with advanced missile systems, noting that Moscow has been quick to resume diplomatic engagement upon hearing of the potential deployment of Tomahawks. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the missiles, with a range of approximately 2,500 kilometers, are critical to the country’s defensive strategy.

Trump’s public statements regarding the potential transfer of Tomahawks have been cautious. While he has previously indicated that he might supply Ukraine with the weapons, he later clarified that the US could not deplete its own stockpile, citing national security needs. At present, Ukraine lacks the necessary naval platforms to operate the missiles, and the US has only a limited number of land-based Typhon launchers capable of deploying them, a program reinstated in 2019 following the end of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The Trump-Putin phone call, which preceded Zelensky’s arrival, focused significantly on post-war trade between the United States and Russia. Trump later told reporters he expected to meet Putin in Hungary within two weeks and that the outcome of their conversation would be shared with Zelensky. The development has added a layer of complexity to the Ukrainian leader’s diplomatic agenda, as he seeks additional military support while major powers negotiate directly with Moscow.

Russia, meanwhile, intensified military operations on the eve of the Trump-Putin call, launching one of its largest strikes of the year against Ukraine, including ballistic missiles and drones. Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, described the attacks as evidence of Moscow’s “real attitude toward peace,” arguing that stronger sanctions, reinforced air defenses, and long-range weaponry remain the most effective measures. Kremlin officials warned that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles would be perceived as a major escalation.

Trump’s approach toward Russia has fluctuated since returning to office. Initially seen as more sympathetic to Moscow, he has in recent months signaled a firmer stance, at times urging Russia to agree to ceasefire measures and imposing deadlines for negotiations. His relationship with Zelensky has also evolved; after a tense public confrontation in February, the two leaders have reportedly improved their communications, with Trump acknowledging in September that Kyiv could realistically reclaim all Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia.

International observers are closely monitoring these developments. Hungary is poised to host the upcoming US-Russia summit, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban suggesting that Europe’s role in direct peace negotiations may remain limited due to the EU’s perceived pro-war stance. Meanwhile, Zelensky’s urgent push for missile aid underscores the continuing tension between diplomatic outreach and military necessity in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the complex calculus faced by the United States as it balances support for Ukraine with broader strategic considerations in dealing with Russia.