Trump dashes Zelensky’s hopes for new U.S. weapons aid

According to Axios, citing two people familiar with the talks, Friday’s meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House was fraught with tension. Trump reportedly made it clear that, at least for now, he has no intention of providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.

Zelensky had hoped to leave Washington with new security commitments, but during the meeting—held just one day after Trump’s lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin—he found the U.S. president in a very different frame of mind.

The Axios sources said Trump emphasized that his top priority at the moment is diplomacy and that supplying Tomahawk missiles could undermine that effort.

According to one source, the meeting “wasn’t easy,” while another described it bluntly as “bad.” The first source explained, “No one shouted, but Trump was firm.” The second source added, “Trump took several hardline positions during the meeting, and at moments, the atmosphere grew emotional.”

The meeting reportedly ended abruptly after two and a half hours. Referring to his upcoming meeting with Putin in Hungary, Trump later said, “I think that’s it. Let’s see what happens next week.” According to the same sources, that meeting is expected to take place in Budapest within the next two weeks.

Axios also reported that during Friday’s meeting, Trump briefed Zelensky on his Thursday phone conversation with Putin, stressing that Washington’s current diplomatic proposal envisions ending the war while maintaining the existing front lines—a plan that would be difficult for Ukraine to accept.

Trump echoed this position on his social media platform, describing the meeting as “interesting” and “cordial.” He wrote that he told both Zelensky and Putin, “It’s time to stop right where you are,” adding, “Let both sides claim victory—history will decide!”

Immediately after his meeting with Trump, Zelensky held a video conference with European leaders. According to one participant, several of them were surprised by Trump’s apparent change in approach.

Soon afterward, European leaders began issuing coordinated statements of support for Ukraine—an unmistakable sign that Zelensky’s talks with Trump had not gone well.

Sources familiar with the discussion said Zelensky pushed hard for the Tomahawks, but Trump stood firm and showed no willingness to compromise.