Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, at the White House on October 17. The meeting was held informally, over a working lunch and without the presence of the press. The talks began slightly late, and the leaders did not make statements at the White House, as is usually the case.
Zelenskyy and Trump held a meeting at the White House: what the leaders discussed and what signals were given
The main topics of discussion were military support for Ukraine, arms supplies, and possible steps toward peace talks with Russia. After lunch, Trump planned to return to his residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
Possible Transfer of Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine
One of the key issues was the prospect of supplying American Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Trump had previously stated that the decision on the transfer was “practically made.” However, he now noted that the United States “has large stockpiles, but cannot afford to deplete them completely.”
This topic provoked a noticeable reaction in the Kremlin. According to Zelensky, the very possibility of obtaining Tomahawk missiles has already changed Moscow’s rhetoric. “The language of strength and justice always works—and Russia feels it,” the Ukrainian leader stated.
Contacts with Putin and the Idea of a “Budapest Summit”
The day before his meeting with Zelensky, Trump held a two-hour conversation with Vladimir Putin, initiated by the Kremlin. Following the talks, the two sides agreed on a possible summit in Hungary. Preparations for the meeting will be handled by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump stated that the goal of the meeting is “an attempt to end this inglorious war.” However, specific details of the upcoming summit have not yet been disclosed. The Kremlin reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already expressed his willingness to host talks in Budapest.
The Washington Context and the Ukrainian Delegation
A Ukrainian delegation, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, has been working in the US capital since October 13. They held a series of meetings with representatives of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, which manufacture weapons systems, including the Tomahawk, Patriot, HIMARS, and F-16. These talks are considered part of Ukraine’s broader efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities.
“He’s a strong leader” — Trump on Zelenskyy
Following the meeting, Trump praised his Ukrainian counterpart. “He’s a very strong man who’s been through a lot. We get along well,” the American president noted.
According to White House sources, the meeting was calm and constructive. Despite the lack of official statements, both sides view it as an important step in developing dialogue between Kyiv and Washington.