Trump Hosts Zelenskyy at White House Amid New Push to End Russia-Ukraine War

Washington, D.C. —
President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Friday, marking a high-stakes diplomatic moment amid renewed U.S. efforts to bring an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The meeting follows a lengthy phone call between Mr. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, during which the two leaders agreed to meet soon in Budapest for further discussions. According to officials familiar with the matter, Mr. Trump views these parallel talks as a coordinated push to broker a potential path to peace in Eastern Europe.

Military Aid and Tomahawks on the Table

High on Zelenskyy’s agenda is a plea for expanded U.S. military aid, including long-range weapons. Sources indicate that Ukraine is specifically requesting Tomahawk cruise missiles—capable of striking deep within Russian territory—a request that has sparked heated debate within the Trump administration.

President Trump acknowledged the missile discussion during his call with Putin, telling reporters that he mentioned the issue “a little bit” but was cautious about committing to the transfer.

“I will say to you, we need Tomahawks for the United States of America too,” Trump said Thursday. “We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean we can’t deplete our country.”

Despite publicly hinting that arming Ukraine with Tomahawks could be used as leverage, Trump has previously warned that such a move might be interpreted by Moscow as a “new step of aggression” in the ongoing conflict.

“I might say ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send the Tomahawks,’” he told reporters earlier this week. “We may not, but we may do it.”

Tensions Underscore Peace Efforts

Zelenskyy’s visit comes as Ukraine continues to reel from another wave of Russian missile strikes. Ukrainian officials said the attack took place just hours before Trump’s call with Putin—a move interpreted in Kyiv as a direct challenge to the peace process.

“The massive overnight strike — launched hours before the conversation between Putin and President Trump — exposes Moscow’s real attitude toward peace,” said Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Olga Stefanishyna. “Russia once again chose missiles over dialogue.”

Despite the strike, President Trump maintained an optimistic tone following his conversation with Putin, claiming “great progress was made,” although he declined to share specifics.

The White House confirmed that U.S. and Russian advisers will meet next week at a yet-undisclosed location in preparation for the Trump-Putin summit in Budapest. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to lead the initial negotiations.

Melania Trump’s Quiet Role

In a less publicized development, First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly been involved behind the scenes, working with Russian contacts on humanitarian issues—specifically the repatriation of Ukrainian children separated from their families during the conflict.

A senior official from the East Wing confirmed that the first lady “has been in quiet but regular contact” with organizations involved in these efforts.

Growing Pressure for Resolution

Friday’s White House meeting is the first in-person engagement between the two leaders since September, when they met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Since then, President Trump has held at least two phone calls with Zelenskyy, including one earlier this week.

For Zelenskyy, the stakes could not be higher. As winter approaches and military conditions become more difficult, securing long-range weaponry and a renewed American commitment are critical to Ukraine’s battlefield strategy.

For Trump, the meeting is part of a larger diplomatic gamble—leveraging both pressure and diplomacy to coax Putin toward the negotiating table, while balancing domestic concerns about overextending U.S. military resources.

With both allies and adversaries watching closely, Friday’s meeting may mark a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine war.