In a significant diplomatic development on Friday, October 17, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue direct negotiations with Russia, signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding military support for Ukraine.
This recommendation came during a meeting at the White House, where Zelensky had hoped to secure the provision of Tomahawk missiles to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
President Trump, who had previously expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. He stated, “It’s good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but for today, (he) didn’t say ‘yes’” to providing Kyiv with Tomahawks, as reported by Zelensky to NBC. Trump reiterated his stance on social media, urging both nations to cease hostilities and allow history to determine the outcome. He also suggested that both sides should halt at the current battle lines to avoid complicating the situation further.
Zelensky acknowledged the U.S. position, noting that Russia perceives the Tomahawk missiles as a significant threat. He expressed a pragmatic approach, stating that discussions on long-range weapons were deferred due to the United States’ concerns about escalating the conflict.
The Ukrainian leader had hoped to secure the advanced missiles during his visit, aiming to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. However, President Trump has shown a renewed commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution, especially after a recent phone call with President Putin, where they agreed to meet in Budapest for further discussions. Trump expressed optimism about ending the war without the need for additional military support, stating, “Hopefully we’ll be able to get the war over with, without thinking about Tomahawks.”
In a gesture of goodwill, Zelensky proposed exchanging a substantial number of Ukrainian drones for the Tomahawk missiles, highlighting Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate and find alternative solutions to enhance its defense capabilities.