Trump Shifts Stance on Supplying Ukraine with Long-Range Missiles: Advocates for Quick Resolution

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Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia, pouring cold water on Kyiv’s hopes for Tomahawk missiles as the US president renewed a push to settle the war.

After meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, Trump said on social media that their talks were “very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!”

“They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!” he posted online, while flying to his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.

Upon arriving, he addressed the media with a clear message: Ukraine and Russia should “halt immediately at the battle line.” This suggestion underscores a desire to stabilize a volatile situation before it spirals further.

A missile being launched from a US navy ship

In his remarks, Trump expressed concern about the United States potentially “depleting” its stock of Tomahawk missiles. These missiles, known for their impressive range of over 1,600 kilometers, are a critical component of U.S. military capabilities. His caution reflects a broader strategic consideration for maintaining national defense resources.

He further elaborated, “Go by the battle line wherever it is, or else it gets too complicated,” emphasizing the importance of simplifying the conflict’s resolution process to prevent unnecessary complications.

Moreover, he shared insights from his conversation with Trump, revealing that they had discussed the topic of long-range weaponry. However, they reached a consensus to refrain from public discourse on the matter, citing concerns over potentially escalating tensions. This decision highlights a careful diplomatic approach to avoid further inflaming the situation.

Zelenskyy came to Washington after weeks of calls for Tomahawks, hoping to capitalise on Trump’s growing frustration with Putin after a summit in Alaska failed to produce a breakthrough.

But the Ukrainian left empty-handed as Trump eyes a fresh diplomatic breakthrough on the back of last week’s Gaza peace deal.

Trump has appeared far more upbeat about the prospects of a deal since his two-and-a-half-hour call with Putin on Thursday, in which they agreed to meet in Budapest.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the war over with, without thinking about Tomahawks,” Trump told journalists as he hosted Zelenskyy at the White House.

Drones for Tomahawks?

Zelenskyy said he would be ready to swap “thousands” of Ukrainian drones in exchange for Tomahawks.

Kyiv has made extensive use of drones since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Zelenskyy also congratulated Trump on his recent Middle East peace deal in Gaza and expressed hope that he would do the same for Ukraine.

“I hope that President Trump can manage it,” he said.

‘Many questions’

Diplomatic talks on ending Russia’s invasion have stalled since the Alaska summit.

The Kremlin on Friday said “many questions” needed resolving before Putin and Trump could meet, including who would be on each negotiating team.

US President Trump, Russian President Putin meet in Alaska

A meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska in August failed to result in a breakthrough. Source: EPA / Gavrill Grigorov

But it brushed off suggestions that Putin would have difficulty flying over European airspace.

Hungary said it would ensure Putin could enter and “hold successful talks” with the US despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes.

Trump frustrations

Since the start of his second term, Trump’s position on the Ukraine war has shifted dramatically back and forth.

Initially, Trump and Putin reached out to each other as the US leader derided Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections”.

Tensions came to a head in February, when Trump accused his Ukrainian counterpart of “not having the cards” in a rancorous televised meeting at the Oval Office.

Relations between the two have since warmed as Trump has expressed growing frustration with Putin.

But Trump has kept a channel of dialogue open with Putin, saying that they “get along”.

The US leader has repeatedly changed his position on sanctions and other steps against Russia following calls with the Russian president.

Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a “special military operation” to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO.

Kyiv and its European allies say the war is an illegal land grab that has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian and military casualties and widespread destruction.

Russia now occupies around a fifth of Ukrainian territory — much of it ravaged by fighting.