In a stunning turn of events, Ukraine’s hopes for a game-changing weapon in its fight against Russia have been thrown into jeopardy—all thanks to a single phone call. But here’s where it gets controversial: Did a conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin just derail Kyiv’s chances of receiving U.S. Tomahawk missiles? As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to meet with Trump in Washington, the timing couldn’t be more fraught. And this is the part most people miss: This isn’t just about missiles—it’s about the delicate balance of power and diplomacy in one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.
On Thursday, Putin unexpectedly called Trump, urging the U.S. president to withhold the Tomahawk missiles from Ukraine. These weapons, long sought by Kyiv, would give Ukraine its longest-range strike capability yet, potentially bringing Moscow within reach. The Kremlin’s top aide, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that Putin initiated the call, emphasizing the stakes for both sides. This was the eighth known conversation between Trump and Putin since Trump’s second term began in January, part of a complex and often confusing tug-of-war between Putin and Zelenskyy for Trump’s favor.
Historically, when Trump has leaned toward supporting Kyiv and its European allies, a call from Putin has often led to a sudden shift in his tone toward Moscow. This time, after weeks of Trump voicing frustration with Putin and hinting at supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine, the U.S. president appeared to backpedal. Here’s the kicker: Trump told reporters, ‘We need Tomahawks for the United States too. We can’t deplete our own supply.’ This raises a critical question: Can the U.S. afford to arm Ukraine without compromising its own defense?
Trump recounted his conversation with Putin, revealing he jokingly asked the Russian leader, ‘Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousand Tomahawks to your opposition?’ Putin, unsurprisingly, wasn’t amused. ‘You have to be a little lighthearted sometimes,’ Trump quipped. But behind the humor lies a serious dilemma: How far is the U.S. willing to go in supporting Ukraine without escalating tensions with Russia?
Adding to the drama, Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest—a move aimed at ending the war. However, logistical challenges abound. With EU sanctions, airspace restrictions, and Putin’s status as a wanted man by the International Criminal Court (ICC), how can this summit even happen? Hungary, a signatory to the ICC, would technically be obliged to arrest Putin, though Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has vowed otherwise. Is this a diplomatic masterstroke or a risky gamble?
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy’s momentum seems to have stalled. His meeting with Trump, once a high-stakes opportunity, is now overshadowed by the looming Budapest summit. ‘Zelenskyy must be pulling his hair out,’ said John Foreman, a former British defense attaché to Moscow and Kyiv. Trump has also suggested that talks between Putin and Zelenskyy might need to happen indirectly, contradicting Zelenskyy’s push for a face-to-face meeting. ‘They don’t get along too well,’ Trump noted, proposing a ‘separate but equal’ approach. Is this pragmatism or a missed opportunity for direct diplomacy?
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, warned that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would damage U.S.-Russia relations without changing the battlefield dynamics. Ukrainian officials, however, spun the call positively, arguing that Putin’s outreach shows his fear of Ukraine gaining new weapons. ‘Strength can truly create momentum for peace,’ Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha tweeted. But with Putin showing no signs of compromise and Trump’s optimistic rhetoric clashing with Vice President JD Vance’s cautious tone, the path to peace remains uncertain.
Vance, in an interview with Newsmax, highlighted a ‘misalignment of expectations,’ noting that Russia overestimates its battlefield success. As high-level talks between Washington and Moscow continue, the question lingers: Can diplomacy prevail, or will the conflict drag on? What do you think? Is Trump’s approach the right one, or is he playing with fire? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
