On Friday, October 17, Donald Trump will meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House – the US president confirmed this during a conversation with journalists aboard Air Force One. Zelensky also announced that he intended to go to Washington.
— I think we need to discuss the sequence of steps that I want to propose, said the Ukrainian president. He explained that the main topic of the meeting will be to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and the means to conduct long-range strikes to put pressure on Russia. And it may work – the Kremlin's reaction shows how painful this pressure is.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky will be a continuation of their telephone conversations on October 11 and 12, during which they discussed Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector and the possibility of supplying Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. The latter issue will be a major topic of planned talks at the White House, two sources familiar with preparations for the meeting told Axios. — There are some issues that cannot be discussed over the phone – explained one of the interlocutors.
“Amazing weapon, very offensive”
Earlier, Trump said he could discuss the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
— I could say: listen, if this war doesn't end, I'll send it to them [Ukraińcom] Tomahawks. I can send them. The Tomahawk is an amazing weapon, very offensive. And, frankly, Russia doesn't need it, Trump said. He expressed hope that Putin would agree to end the war – otherwise “it will end badly for him.”
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Earlier, Zelensky assured that Tomahawk strikes – if Washington hands them over to Kiev – would only be aimed at military targets. He also included energy infrastructure, because – as he said – “Russians sell energy resources, receive money and invest it in the army.”
At the same time, he refused to answer the question whether the United States provided Kiev with intelligence information regarding attacks on targets located on Russian territory. — I can't share all the information. We are satisfied with the work of our two intelligence agencies [amerykańskiej i ukraińskiej]. Currently, they have very strong relations, said the President of Ukraine.
“New stage of escalation”
Putin previously warned that handing over Tomahawks to Kiev would be a “qualitatively new” stage of escalation and would “ruin” relations between Moscow and Washington. He also emphasized that Russian air defense forces are ready to shoot down American missiles, and their use by Ukraine alone will not change the balance of power on the battlefield.
The flight range of Tomahawk missiles, depending on the modification, is from 1,600 to 2,500 km. Experts from the Institute for War Studies have calculated that if Ukraine receives these missiles, up to 1,945 Russian military facilities will be in their zone of destruction. According to experts, Ukraine will probably be able to weaken the actions of the Russian army at the front by targeting the rear, which supplies it with weapons and supports its offensive operations.
Tomahawks can actually increase the effectiveness of the Ukrainian armed forces. As Ukrainian political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko stated in a recent conversation with Onet, they are a form of pressure that Trump wants to exert on Russia.
— Putin's reaction shows how painful this pressure is. If this issue did not matter, they would only react through the mouths of propagandists, not Putin himself. They take this threat seriously – said the specialist.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
