Trump's Surprising Stance: Why Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine are Off the Table

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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.

After touching down, he addressed the media, emphasizing the urgency for Ukraine and Russia to “halt immediately at the battle line.” This statement underscores the need for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.

A missile being launched from a US navy ship

Trump expressed concern over the United States potentially “depleting” its own stockpile of Tomahawk missiles, which boast an impressive range exceeding 1,600 kilometers. This caution highlights the strategic balance the U.S. must maintain while addressing international conflicts. Source: Getty / U.S. Navy

He further elaborated, “Proceed according to the battle line wherever it currently lies; otherwise, it becomes excessively complicated.” This sentiment suggests a pragmatic approach to conflict resolution, advocating for clarity and simplicity in negotiations.

During discussions with the press, he mentioned that although he and Trump deliberated on the issue of long-range weaponry, they chose to refrain from public discourse on the topic, as “the United States doesn’t want escalation.” This decision reflects a careful diplomatic strategy aimed at avoiding heightened tensions.

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.

Following a two-and-a-half-hour conversation with Putin on Thursday, Trump appeared notably more optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement. Both leaders have committed to a forthcoming meeting in Budapest, signaling a potential step forward in diplomatic relations.

“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.