It was the prospect of Kiev receiving long-range weapons that forced the head of the Kremlin to urgently call the head of the White House, Zelensky believes.
“We already see that Moscow is in a hurry to resume dialogue, only after hearing about Tomahawk,” he said before the meeting with Trump on October 17.
According to the president, Ukraine is in touch with European leaders who intend to make a request to Trump regarding Tomahawk missiles. European countries have such weapons, he pointed out.
“The question is not only what kind of weapon you have, but how you can use it. It is clear that for military purposes and in coordination, but you choose this path yourself. We talked with European leaders immediately after the meeting with President Trump. They want to make a request to him,” he added.
Context
Ukraine has long voiced to the United States the need for Tomahawk. Amid frustration with Putin over his reluctance to end the war, Trump began to consider the possibility of transferring these missiles to Kyiv. The New York Times wrote that the US Department of Defense has developed plans to sell or transfer Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine in case the head of the White House orders it. At the same time, Trump noted that he needs to know that Ukrainians will do with Tomahawk – “Where they will be launched.”
On October 17, during a meeting with Zelensky at the White House, Trump stated that he hoped to end the war, “not thinking about Tomahawk”. Zelensky said they decided not to discuss the transfer of these missiles to Kyiv for now because the United States “does not want escalation.” Trump also called on Ukraine and Russia to conclude a peace agreement and “stop where they are.” Zelensky agreed with this.
On the same day, a CNN interlocutor said that Trump was under the impression that “Ukraine is seeking to escalate and prolong the conflict,” and the US President is concerned about the likely losses “during the coming harsh winter.”
Ahead of the meeting with Zelensky, Trump had a telephone conversation with Putin. The American leader also announced their upcoming meeting in Budapest.
