Zelenskyy Calls Trump Meeting ‘Positive’ Despite Missile Denial

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as “positive,” even though Ukraine did not receive the Tomahawk missiles it had requested to strengthen its defense against Russia.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Zelenskyy revealed that Trump appeared hesitant to escalate tensions with Moscow following a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin just hours before their meeting.

Trump, addressing the conflict, urged both Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” and seek an end to the war. Zelenskyy, however, suggested that Trump was waiting to meet Putin before making any major commitments.

According to Zelenskyy, Putin’s stance remains unchanged, demanding that Ukraine surrender its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He also dismissed Moscow’s suggestion of a territorial swap involving parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, calling the proposal unclear and unrealistic.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Zelenskyy said Trump supported a ceasefire along the current front line. “We share President Trump’s positive outlook if it leads to the end of the war,” he stated, describing their two-hour discussion as intense but constructive.

Reports earlier suggested that Zelenskyy faced pressure during the talks to consider Russia’s terms, but the Ukrainian leader remained diplomatic, emphasizing ongoing dialogue.

Later, Trump told reporters that Ukraine “could still win the war,” though he expressed skepticism, calling war “a very strange thing” with unpredictable outcomes.

Zelenskyy said he hopes Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin in Hungary could open a path to peace, even though he has not been invited to attend. He also criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, questioning his ability to contribute positively given his opposition to Ukraine’s interests.

Looking ahead, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is working to acquire 25 Patriot air defense systems using frozen Russian assets and partner support. He also discussed expanding cooperation with the United States on gas, oil, and nuclear energy projects, including the construction of a new LNG terminal in Odesa.