'Much rather have them not need Tomahawks': Trump reluctant to give missiles to Ukraine following call with Putin

Before meeting Zelenskiy, Trump had announced that he would brief the Ukrainian president about his conversation with Putin. (Image: Reuters)

United States President Donald Trump expressed reservations about transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns that the US itself requires those weapons.

Speaking at the White House alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump underscored that America has already supplied Ukraine with substantial military aid over the past several years. “That's a problem, though. We need tomahawks, and we need a lot of other things that we've been sending over the last four years to Ukraine,” he said, emphasizing that US military readiness must not be compromised, when asked what the US would do if it faced a conflict and needed Tomahawks.

The remarks came a day after Trump held a lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US President revealed that he had spoken with the Russian leader “for two and a half hours” and that they discussed “a lot of details.” Trump claimed, “I think that President Putin wants to end the war, or I wouldn't be talking this way. I think he wants to end the war," he said. Following his call with Putin, Trump also hinted that a summit involving the Russian leader could potentially take place in Budapest, Hungary, later telling reporters that it would happen within two weeks.

Before meeting Zelenskiy, Trump had announced that he would brief the Ukrainian president about his conversation with Putin. According to Trump, both sides -- Ukraine and Russia -- appeared open to halting hostilities. “He wants to get it ended. I think that President Zelenskiy wants to get it ended. Now we have to get it done,” Trump said.

Zelenskiy, however, made it clear that Ukraine’s defense needs are ongoing despite its growing drone capability. “We don't have Tomahawks, that's why we need Tomahawks,” the Ukrainian leader said. He acknowledged that Ukraine possesses “thousands of drones” but insisted they are not a substitute for missiles.

While Trump noted that the United States had already provided “a lot” of support, he suggested he hoped Ukraine would not need Tomahawk missiles. He remarked that he would “much rather have them (Ukraine) not need Tomahawks".

During the White House meeting, Trump was accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.