During a pivotal White House meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the urgent need to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Trump expressed his desire to broker peace in Europe, acknowledging the deep animosity between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He drew parallels to his past successes in peace negotiations, including a complex Middle East deal involving numerous countries, suggesting his ability to achieve similar outcomes.
Trump revealed that he had spoken with Putin, who he claims also wishes to end the hostilities. The two leaders are slated for a follow-up summit in Hungary soon. Following their discussion, Trump posted on Truth Social, describing the meeting with Zelenskyy as ‘very interesting and cordial.’ He advised the Ukrainian president to cease hostilities and seek a resolution, suggesting both sides could claim victory and let history judge, thereby ending the significant loss of life and financial expenditure. He reiterated his belief that the war would not have occurred under his presidency.
Intriguingly, Trump also indicated his reluctance to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, despite previous hints. He cited national security interests and the need to maintain U.S. military readiness. “We would much rather have them not need Tomahawks,” he stated, preferring a swift end to the war. This stance comes after Russia voiced “extreme concern” over potential Tomahawk deliveries. President Zelenskyy, in his remarks, framed his feelings towards Putin not as personal hatred, but as a response to aggression, stating, “They attacked us, so they are an enemy for us.”