In a meeting loaded with tension and diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that the U.S. denied Kyiv’s demand for Tomahawk missiles — but insisted that “hope is not dead.” Despite leaving Washington empty-handed on critical defence support, Zelensky called the talks with U.S. President Donald Trump “positive” and “strategically important,” even as the American leader appeared reluctant to confront Moscow head-on.
The meeting came just hours after Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin — a sequence that has sparked unease in Kyiv.
“Trump clearly doesn’t want a military escalation before his meeting with Putin,” Zelensky told reporters on Sunday. “But Ukraine cannot pause its defence while Russia keeps striking.”
Tomahawk Missiles Rejected — Kyiv Left Waiting
Ukraine had been pushing to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles — a move that would have significantly boosted its long-range strike capability. Trump’s refusal to approve the deal was seen in Kyiv as a political snub disguised as restraint.
“It’s disappointing, no question,” one Ukrainian official said off the record. “While Russia rains missiles on our cities, we’re told to wait — again.”
Despite the setback, Zelensky chose to maintain a diplomatic tone, stressing that “the U.S.-Ukraine partnership must go beyond words.”
Kyiv’s Plea: 25 Patriot Systems and Time Running Out
Zelensky also pressed Washington to fast-track the supply of 25 Patriot air-defense systems — a demand Ukraine says is vital to stop Russia’s relentless drone and missile barrages.
He proposed funding the deal through frozen Russian assets and allied contributions, but warned against bureaucracy slowing down deliveries.
“Every delay costs lives,” Zelensky declared. “We don’t need promises in future tense — we need weapons in present tense.”
Putin’s Blackmail and Trump’s Calculations
During the talks, Trump repeated Russia’s conditions — a demand for Ukraine to surrender Donetsk and Luhansk. Kyiv immediately rejected the idea. Still, Trump suggested a potential ceasefire along existing front lines, signalling his intent to de-escalate rather than push back.
Zelensky, while acknowledging the gesture, was blunt: “A ceasefire that rewards occupation is not peace — it’s surrender.”
Trump is now preparing to meet Putin in Budapest — a move many in Europe view with deep suspicion. Critics warn the meeting could tilt the diplomatic balance toward Moscow if Trump seeks a “quick deal” instead of a fair resolution.
Zelensky Slams Hungary’s Role: “Orban Can’t Be a Neutral Host”
Zelensky dismissed Budapest as an appropriate venue for negotiations, openly questioning Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s credibility.
“How can a leader who blocks Ukraine at every international platform pretend to mediate peace?” Zelensky asked sharply.
He also condemned a Russian proposal that offered partial withdrawals from Kherson and Zaporizhia in exchange for Kyiv abandoning Donetsk and Luhansk. “That’s not diplomacy — that’s blackmail,” Zelensky said. “Russia hasn’t changed its goals. They just changed their tactics.”
America’s Economic Game: Energy Over Arms
While Trump blocked missile sales, he expressed strong interest in U.S. investments in Ukraine’s gas, nuclear, and oil sectors. Plans for a new LNG terminal in Odessa and potential energy partnerships were discussed — signalling that Washington may be shifting from defence support to economic leverage.
“Trump wants to bring the same Middle East momentum here,” Zelensky said, hinting that Washington’s priorities may lie in trade, not trenches. “But Ukraine’s fight isn’t about business. It’s about survival.”
Zelensky’s Message to Washington: ‘History Is Watching’
The Ukrainian leader ended his remarks with a pointed message: “History doesn’t remember those who stood aside when freedom was under attack. It remembers those who stood up.”
As Trump heads into his meeting with Putin, Kyiv waits — once again — for action to match America’s words.
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