U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he is hesitant to sell long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This decision comes amid discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed hope that the war could soon come to an end, reducing the need for such powerful weaponry.

During their meeting at the White House, Zelenskyy proposed that Ukraine could provide advanced drones to the United States in exchange for the Tomahawk missiles. Ukrainian officials believe these missiles are crucial for pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage seriously in peace negotiations. However, Trump expressed reservations about depleting the U.S. supply of Tomahawks, stating, "I have an obligation also to make sure that we’re completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what’s going to happen in war and peace." He added, "We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We’d much rather have the war be over to be honest."

The meeting followed a lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin, where the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on a recent ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, suggesting that Trump now has the momentum to help resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "President Trump now has a big chance to finish this war," Zelenskyy remarked.

Trump's change in stance regarding the Tomahawk missiles has disappointed Ukrainian officials. Previously, he had shown openness to the idea of supplying the missiles, despite warnings from Putin that such a move could further strain U.S.-Russia relations. After his conversation with Putin, Trump began to downplay the likelihood of Ukraine receiving the missiles, which have a range of approximately 995 miles (1,600 kilometers).

Zelenskyy has argued that acquiring Tomahawks would enable Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory, targeting key military sites and critical infrastructure. He believes that this capability would compel Putin to take negotiations more seriously. During the call, Putin cautioned Trump that supplying the missiles would not alter the battlefield dynamics but could significantly damage U.S.-Russia relations, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that discussions about the Tomahawks have already prompted Putin to engage in talks. "The conclusion is that we need to continue with strong steps. Strength can truly create momentum for peace," Sybiha stated on social media.

In addition to military discussions, Zelenskyy aimed to explore energy deals with the U.S. He proposed storing American liquefied natural gas in Ukraine's facilities, which would enhance American presence in the European energy market. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of restoring Ukraine's energy infrastructure following Russian attacks and expanding the role of American businesses in Ukraine.

This meeting marks the fourth in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump returned to office in January, and their second meeting in less than a month. Trump announced plans to meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to further discuss the conflict. He mentioned that it is still undecided whether Zelenskyy would participate in the talks, suggesting a potential "double meeting" with both leaders.

Trump has expressed frustration with Putin in recent weeks, stating last month that he believes Ukraine can reclaim all territory lost to Russia. This represents a significant shift from his earlier calls for Kyiv to make concessions. As Trump campaigns for the 2024 election, he has insisted that he could quickly end the war, although his diplomatic efforts have faced challenges.

When asked if he was concerned that Putin might be misleading him, Trump acknowledged the possibility but expressed confidence in his ability to manage the situation. "I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out pretty well," he said. "I think I’m pretty good at this stuff."