Trump and Zelenskyy to Discuss Potential Sale of Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet at the White House on Friday, October 17, 2025, to discuss the potential sale of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. This meeting comes amid escalating tensions with Russia, which has issued stern warnings against such a transaction.

The Tomahawk missile, developed by the United States, is a precision-guided weapon with a range of approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers). Its deployment would enable Ukraine to target strategic sites deep within Russian territory, including major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Ukrainian officials argue that acquiring these missiles is crucial for bolstering their defense capabilities against ongoing Russian aggression.

In recent days, President Trump had shown openness to selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that such a move would further strain U.S.-Russian relations. However, following a phone call with Putin on Thursday, Trump appeared to downplay the prospects of Ukraine receiving the missiles. "We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too," Trump said. "We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean we can't deplete our country."

The Kremlin has expressed strong opposition to the potential sale. Russian Foreign Ministry official Sergei Ryabkov warned that providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles would "cause substantial damage to relations between our countries." He also suggested that the use of such systems would require direct involvement of American personnel, further complicating the situation.

The relationship between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy has experienced fluctuations. In February 2025, a contentious meeting over a minerals deal led to a public falling-out, with Trump labeling Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections." Despite these tensions, the leaders resumed contact in April during Pope Francis' funeral in Rome. By August, Zelenskyy returned to Washington with European allies, indicating a potential reset in their relationship.

The potential sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine carries significant geopolitical ramifications. Providing Ukraine with advanced offensive weapons could lead to an escalation in the conflict, potentially drawing in other nations and increasing regional instability. European nations may be affected by the heightened tensions and the potential for a broader conflict, impacting regional security and economic stability.

As the world watches closely, the outcome of this meeting may set the course for future international dynamics.