{"id":32160,"date":"2025-10-18T11:01:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T08:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=32160"},"modified":"2025-10-20T21:32:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T18:32:06","slug":"trump-declines-ukraines-request-for-tomahawk-missiles-as-zelenskyy-leaves-us-without-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/trump-declines-ukraines-request-for-tomahawk-missiles-as-zelenskyy-leaves-us-without-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump declines Ukraine\u2019s request for Tomahawk missiles as Zelenskyy leaves US without deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>7 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>U.S. President Donald Trump was short of approving the transfer of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 17, 2025, in the White House.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The talks, part of Trump\u2019s renewed diplomatic push to end Russia\u2019s more than three-year war in Ukraine, came one day after his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders agreed to meet in Hungary in the coming weeks to discuss possible steps toward ending the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy confirmed that long-range missiles had been discussed but said both sides had chosen not to issue firm statements on the matter \u201cbecause the United States does not want an escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Zelenskyy told reporters he remained \u201crealistic\u201d about the chances of receiving Tomahawks. Asked whether he believed Putin\u2019s decision to meet Trump was linked to the missile discussions, he replied, \u201cThe prospect of Ukraine having Tomahawks has caused Russia to be afraid because it is a strong weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy said he had already spoken with several European leaders following the meeting, adding in a post on X that the \u201cmain priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe.\u201d UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described his call with Zelenskyy as \u201cproductive,\u201d pledging that Britain \u201cwill continue to send humanitarian aid and military support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">President Donald J. Trump welcomes Ukrainian President <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ZelenskyyUa<\/a> to the White House. \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZyC8eo9q2G\">pic.twitter.com\/ZyC8eo9q2G<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WhiteHouse\/status\/1979241053019672994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 17, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong><br>Trump Keeps Distance from Tomahawks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, Trump indicated that the United States was not yet ready to send Tomahawk missiles, signaling caution about deepening U.S. involvement in the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHopefully they won\u2019t need it, hopefully we\u2019ll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks,\u201d Trump said, adding that \u201cAmerica needs those weapons.\u201d He described supplying the missiles as \u201can escalation,\u201d though he noted, \u201cwe\u2019ll be talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump\u2019s remarks followed reports earlier this month that he had shown openness to providing the advanced munitions. The Tomahawk, capable of striking targets up to 1,500 kilometers away, would give Kyiv the ability to hit Russian energy and logistics facilities deep inside occupied territory and within Russia itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Military analysts say such weapons could shift battlefield dynamics by targeting Moscow\u2019s supply chains and oil infrastructure, moves that Zelenskyy believes would \u201cseverely weaken Putin\u2019s war economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Zelenskyy Floats Drones-for-Missiles Idea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During their meeting, Zelenskyy proposed a potential trade that drew Trump\u2019s attention: Ukrainian-made drones in exchange for U.S. Tomahawks. \u201cThe U.S. is a powerful producer and has Tomahawks and other strong missiles, but they can have our thousands of drones,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cThat\u2019s where we can work together and strengthen American production.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/US-Tactical-Tomahawk-missile-launch.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/US-Tactical-Tomahawk-missile-launch.jpg?resize=1000%2C787&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Tomahawk cruise missile\" class=\"wp-image-20615\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/US-Tactical-Tomahawk-missile-launch.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/US-Tactical-Tomahawk-missile-launch.jpg?resize=300%2C236&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/US-Tactical-Tomahawk-missile-launch.jpg?resize=768%2C604&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Launch of a Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile from USS Stethem. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Trump appeared receptive to the idea, complimenting Ukraine\u2019s drone technology. \u201cWe have a lot of drones right now. We build our own drones, but we also buy drones from others, and they make a very good drone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite his measured tone, Trump reiterated that discussions would continue. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy for us to give. You\u2019re talking about massive numbers of very powerful weapons,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Zelenskyy meets US Defense and Energy Firms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of his working visit to Washington, Zelenskyy also met with executives from major U.S. defense and energy companies. In a separate meeting, the Ukrainian president held talks with representatives of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, thanking the United States, President Trump, and the companies\u2019 leadership for their continued support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the meeting with Lockheed Martin representatives, Zelenskyy briefed on Ukraine\u2019s urgent security needs, including modern air defense systems, compatible missiles, and F-16 fighter jets. Lockheed Martin representatives outlined the company\u2019s production capacities and reaffirmed their readiness to explore new areas of cooperation to bolster Ukraine\u2019s defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I had a meeting with representatives of the defense company Lockheed Martin.<br><br>We discussed our prospects for cooperation and ways to strengthen Ukraine\u2019s protection against Russian aggression.<br><br>I outlined Ukraine\u2019s specific needs for air defense systems and their compatible\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NaGCPJjSot\">pic.twitter.com\/NaGCPJjSot<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZelenskyyUa\/status\/1979072503612907684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 17, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>\u201cThe Russian strikes are becoming increasingly brutal as winter approaches,\u201d Zelenskyy said, stressing that Ukraine \u201cknows the concrete steps required to enhance its defense\u201d and is \u201cworking with partners at all levels.\u201d Lockheed Martin, he added, \u201cis open to partnership\u201d and aware of Ukraine\u2019s \u201cclear defense priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy also met with representatives of the American defense company Raytheon, which produces Patriot systems. Zelenskyy posted on X, \u201cI told them about the battlefield situation and Russia\u2019s intensified attacks on our people and civilian infrastructure.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also discussed Raytheon\u2019s production capacity, potential avenues for our cooperation to strengthen Ukraine\u2019s air defense and long-range capabilities, and the prospects for Ukrainian-American joint production. \u201cI thank Raytheon for its readiness to continue supporting Ukraine,\u201d Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy also held a separate meeting with top executives and CEOs from major U.S. energy companies, including Bechtel, Fluence Energy, GE Vernova, Holtec International, Invenergy, Jacobs, Mercuria, Parsons, TechMet USA, Venture Global, and Westinghouse Electric Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He thanked them for their cooperation and noted that most were already active in Ukraine. Discussions focused on joint short- and long-term energy projects in oil, gas, and nuclear sectors, as well as financing options for future initiatives. The meetings, held as part of Zelenskyy\u2019s working visit, underscored Kyiv\u2019s efforts to deepen strategic partnerships with U.S. industry leaders in both defense and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">During my meeting with Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy Chris Wright, we discussed in detail energy capacities and potential projects for partnership in the energy sector.<br><br>I spoke about Russia\u2019s strikes on Ukraine\u2019s energy system and the need to restore the affected\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4Jj2uyLMtp\">pic.twitter.com\/4Jj2uyLMtp<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZelenskyyUa\/status\/1979079990139379740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 17, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><strong>Trump Balances Peace Hopes with Caution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump has increasingly cast himself as a mediator, claiming credit for helping secure a Middle East ceasefire earlier this month. \u201cI\u2019m the mediator president, and I\u2019m mediating a not easy situation,\u201d he said at the start of his meeting with Zelenskyy. \u201cIt should be easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, while Trump has in the past expressed confidence that Ukraine could regain all occupied territory, his tone Friday was notably restrained. \u201cI think they\u2019re both doing a great job at negotiating,\u201d he said of Zelenskyy and Putin. \u201cWe have to get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asked whether Zelenskyy would be part of the planned Hungary summit with Putin, Trump said there were \u201cbad feelings\u201d between the two leaders. \u201cWe\u2019ll be involved in threes, but it may be separated,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cWe have to get together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy expressed skepticism that Putin was prepared for peace. \u201cWe understand that Putin is not ready,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I\u2019m confident that with your help, we can stop this war, and we really need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He emphasized that any lasting peace must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine. \u201cThe most important thing for people in Ukraine, who are under daily attack, is to have really strong security guarantees,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump, meanwhile, told reporters his phone call with Putin had been \u201cvery productive,\u201d describing the Russian leader as \u201cwanting to make a deal.\u201d The two sides, he said, would send working-level delegations to meet next week.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/US-Ukraine-leaders-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/US-Ukraine-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C602&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy\" class=\"wp-image-32170\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/US-Ukraine-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C607&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/US-Ukraine-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C178&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/US-Ukraine-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C455&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/US-Ukraine-leaders-meeting.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. President Donald Trump meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, on October 17, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/@ZelenskyyUa)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><br>Tense Exchange and Lighter Moments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The White House meeting, held as a working lunch, was relatively cordial compared to their contentious February encounter, which had erupted into a shouting match involving Vice President J.D. Vance. Trump even took a moment to compliment Zelenskyy\u2019s attire, saying, \u201cHe looks beautiful in this jacket, it\u2019s very stylish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mood shifted later when a reporter asked Trump about Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t want to f*** around with the U.S.,\u201d Trump snapped, abruptly ending the press availability. The comment, which the White House did not immediately clarify, came amid a series of U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Zelenskyy departed Washington, hopes for Tomahawk missiles remained uncertain, but the discussions marked a new phase in Trump\u2019s efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv, balancing U.S. restraint with Kyiv\u2019s urgent plea for firepower.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. President Donald Trump was short of approving the transfer of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 17, 2025, in the White House.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32169,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1,125],"tags":[75,43,152,324,31,49,71,399,20,643,702,7,22,128,751],"class_list":["post-32160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","category-united-states","tag-conflict","tag-drone","tag-energy","tag-lockheed-martin","tag-missile","tag-peace","tag-politics","tag-raytheon","tag-russia","tag-tomahawk","tag-trump","tag-u-s","tag-ukraine","tag-war","tag-zelenskyy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-US-President-Trump-meeting.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-8mI","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32160"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32237,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32160\/revisions\/32237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}