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No tomahawks for Ukraine: Trump relies on negotiations
US President Trump meets Zelensky: No tomahawks for Ukraine - discussion about alternative ways to end the war.
No tomahawks for Ukraine: Trump relies on negotiations
On Wednesday, October 18, 2025, an explosive event took place in the White House. At a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky, it became clear that Ukraine will not receive any US Tomahawk cruise missiles for the time being. This reports Radio Ennepe Ruhr.
The meeting was described as “not easy” and was said to be characterized by tension and emotional discussions. Zelensky traveled to Washington with the intention of persuading the United States to provide him with the Tomahawk weapons that could enable a more offensive role in the conflict against Russia. Nevertheless, Trump stuck to his position that the US urgently needs these precise weapons systems. Trump also expressed concerns about the dangers posed by the tomahawks and favored alternative ways to end the war, such as the time reported.
Difficult conversations with an uncertain outcome
The talks between Zelensky and Trump took place in a difficult context. While Trump has noted that he is interested in a quick end to the war, he has also stressed the need for Ukraine not to take military aid for granted. He would like to receive compensation for US military aid, for example in the form of access to Ukrainian minerals. This request adds another dimension to the already complex relationships fr.de summarizes.
Zelensky himself is optimistic and sees Trump as an opportunity for peace, but at the same time expresses doubts about Vladimir Putin's willingness to negotiate or a ceasefire. During the meeting, he suggested that an exchange of Ukrainian drones for US Tomahawks would be possible. Trump acknowledged the quality of Ukraine's drones, but suggested they still might not be needed.
The arms trade in focus
Geopolitical tensions have also influenced the global arms trade. The United States accounts for 43 percent of global arms exports and increased its exports by over 20 percent between 2020 and 2024. During this period, Ukraine was the largest arms importer, with imports hundreds of times higher than between 2015 and 2019. Part of the military aid to Ukraine thus goes directly to the US defense industry, increasing Trump's pressure on the European community to buy US weapons to strengthen NATO.
During the diplomatic negotiations, it remains to be seen how the situation surrounding the US Tomahawks will develop. The latest discussions show that despite all the political skill, the strategic interest of the USA remains central. Zelensky emphasizes that this issue is far from over for him and that further efforts are needed to secure Washington's support.