Trump Urges Immediate Ceasefire in Ukraine Amid Missile Discussions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump on March 15, 2024, without securing the desired Tomahawk missiles, which he believed could significantly impact Russia’s war economy. Following the meeting, Trump publicly urged both Ukraine and Russia to cease hostilities immediately, emphasizing the need to respect current battle lines.
Zelensky visited Washington with the hope of acquiring the long-range cruise missiles, which he argues could allow Ukraine to conduct targeted strikes on critical oil and energy facilities within Russia. During a working lunch at the White House, Trump expressed a preference for resolving the conflict without escalating tensions further. “We need Tomahawks for ourselves,” he stated, indicating that their delivery was not imminent.
Despite the lack of a missile agreement, Zelensky characterized the meeting as “productive.” He refrained from discussing Tomahawk missiles in detail, noting, “The U.S. doesn’t want escalation.” Following the discussions, Trump reiterated his call for an immediate end to the conflict. “Both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing,” he told reporters upon arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida. He claimed to have conveyed this sentiment to both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting occurred shortly after a phone call between Trump and Putin, where they reportedly discussed an upcoming meeting in Hungary. During that conversation, Putin is believed to have downplayed the potential impact of Tomahawk missiles on the battlefield, arguing that they could further strain U.S.-Russia relations.
Ukraine’s Quest for Tomahawk Missiles
The Tomahawk missile possesses a range that greatly exceeds any weapon currently available to Ukraine. Although Trump has not completely dismissed the possibility of their delivery, he has tempered expectations. Prior to the meeting with Trump, Zelensky suggested a potential exchange, offering thousands of Ukrainian drones in return for U.S. Tomahawks. “They can have our thousands of drones; that’s where we can work together,” he remarked.
Zelensky subsequently briefed European leaders via video conference after his meeting with Trump. The European leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in light of ongoing Russian aggression. In discussions with reporters, the Ukrainian leader expressed confidence in Trump’s commitment to ending the war, citing the former president’s previous successes in managing complex situations, such as those in the Middle East.
Trump’s stance on whether Ukraine should cede territory as part of a peace agreement with Russia remains unclear. He has previously indicated that “land swaps” might be necessary for a resolution while later suggesting that Ukraine could reclaim all territory currently under Russian control. Recently, he acknowledged the possibility that Putin might be using diplomatic discussions to buy time for his military objectives in Ukraine but concluded, “I think that he wants to make a deal.”
As the conflict continues, the potential acquisition of Tomahawk missiles remains a contentious point. Zelensky’s discussions in Washington highlight the ongoing complexities of international diplomacy surrounding the war in Ukraine and the varied approaches taken by leaders in pursuing peace.
