'We Too Need Tomahawks': Trump Holds Back On Missile Sale To Kyiv During Talks With Zelenskyy

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 08:16 IST

Donald Trump met Zelenskyy at the White House but declined to commit to supplying long-range missiles to Kyiv. Both leaders discussed peace efforts amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Donald Trump with Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: X/@ZelenskyyUa)

Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks at the White House on Friday, but signalled that he is not ready to sell long-range cruise missile Tomahawk to Kyiv, which the Ukrainians say they desperately need.

The two leaders also went behind closed doors, where they also discussed a call the previous day between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I think President Zelenskyy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit," Trump told reporters.

Zelenskyy, however, noted how difficult it has been to try to secure a ceasefire.

“We want this. Putin doesn’t want (it)," he remarked.

The Ukrainian President also told Trump that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for an offensive against Russian targets, but needs American missiles.

“We don’t have Tomahawks, that’s why we need Tomahawks," he said, to which Trump responded, “We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks."

Later, Trump reiterated that he wants the United States to hold onto its weaponry.

“We want Tomahawks also. We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he said.

Following the meeting, which Zelenskyy described as productive, he told reporters he did not want to talk about long-range missiles, saying the US did not want escalation, and that he was “realistic" about his chance of getting them.

The Ukrainian President, who spoke by phone with European leaders after the meeting, said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin “to stop this war."

When asked about Trump’s comments, Zelenskyy told reporters, “President (Trump) is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak."

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Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

News world 'We Too Need Tomahawks': Trump Holds Back On Missile Sale To Kyiv During Talks With Zelenskyy

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