Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not dominated out the likelihood that he can safe long-range Tomahawk missiles from the US, including that he believes “Putin is afraid” of the implications.
“It’s good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no’ but for today, didn’t say ‘yes’,” he stated concerning the provide of the missiles, as a part of a dialogue which is able to air on Sunday.
Ukraine struggle newest: Zelenskyy proposes ‘drone for Tomahawk’
“I think that Putin [is] afraid that United States will deliver us Tomahawks. And I think that he [is] really afraid that we will use them,” he stated.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy nonetheless hopes the US will provide Tomahawks. Pic: Meet the Press/NBC Information
The weapons have a considerably longer vary than some other missiles in Ukraine’s armoury and have the potential to be a game-changer within the struggle towards Russia.
Whereas Mr Trump didn’t rule out offering the Tomahawk missiles, he appeared cool to the prospect as he regarded forward to a gathering with the Russian president in Hungary within the coming weeks.
‘US would not need escalation’
However he added: “We don’t speak about it because… United States doesn’t want this escalation”.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plans to safe new missiles had frightened Russia. Pic: Reuters
Later in a publish on X, Mr Zelenskyy stated he was relying on President Trump to “bring this war closer to an end”.
“We discussed all key issues – our positions on the battlefield, long-range capabilities and air defence, and, of course, diplomatic prospects,” he stated.
“Russia must end the aggression it started and continues to deliberately prolong. We count on the United States’ pressure.”
In a roundtable with journalists following the assembly, Mr Trump confirmed that hitting targets deep inside Russian territory can be an “escalation”.
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Donald Trump stated hitting targets deep inside Russian territory can be an ‘escalation’. Pic: Reuters
He additionally stated he was hesitant to faucet into the US’ provide of Tomahawks, saying: “I have an obligation also to make sure that we’re completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what’s going to happen in war and peace.
“We might a lot fairly have them not want Tomahawks. We might a lot fairly have the struggle be over to be sincere.”
Evaluation: Is Trump being ‘performed’ by Putin?
by Martha Kelner, US correspondent
Earlier than Donald Trump met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he hosted certainly one of his favorite singers, Andrea Bocelli, within the Oval Workplace.
The Italian tenor serenaded him with the signature observe Time To Say Goodbye, a track about hope and new beginnings.
However the subsequent occasion on his agenda urged antipathy between Trump and the Ukrainian president are firmly lodged prior to now.
On the important thing problem of whether or not Vladimir Putin truly desires peace, the pair proceed to essentially disagree.
Trump repeated a number of occasions his perception that Putin is dedicated to ending the struggle, which can come as a shock to the individuals of jap Ukraine, being pummeled by an expanded Russian offensive prior to now few months.
Trump additionally spoke about “bad blood on both sides”, once more inferring equal blame on Zelenskyy, whose sovereign nation was invaded, and Putin, who’s doing the invading.
It is in Putin’s reward to cease the combating instantly, however that was glossed over.
At Mr Trump and Mr Putin’s final assembly in Alaska in August, there have been hopes that the battle could lastly be coming to an finish.
However the US president was unable to stress the Russian chief into accepting a ceasefire or a one-on-one assembly with Mr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine has UK’s ‘resolute assist’
A Downing Avenue spokesperson stated: “The prime minister spoke to the president of Ukraine, European leaders and the NATO secretary general this evening following President Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House today.
“The leaders reiterated their unwavering dedication to Ukraine within the face of ongoing Russian aggression. A simply and lasting peace for Ukraine was the one option to cease the killing for good, they agreed.
“Additional discussions about how they may assist Ukraine within the lead as much as, and following, a ceasefire would proceed this week, together with in a Coalition of the Keen name on Friday, the leaders agreed.
