A surprise phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday has upended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plans in Washington. The two leaders agreed to meet soon to discuss the war in Ukraine, catching Kyiv off guard and complicating Zelensky’s efforts to secure advanced American weapons.
The timing could not have been worse. In a single day, Russia fired dozens of missiles and launched more than 300 drones across Ukraine. Civilian infrastructure suffered once again, with gas pipelines and power stations hit just as freezing temperatures arrive. Rolling blackouts now stretch across the country, signaling a harsh winter ahead.
Russia’s strikes show desperation
For Ukrainian officials, the latest attacks reveal Moscow’s mounting frustration. The frontlines remain largely static, with massive losses for minimal territorial gains. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian oil depots continue to strain Moscow’s economy.
Zelensky had pinned high hopes on his Washington visit. Before leaving Kyiv, he sounded confident, believing political momentum was shifting in Ukraine’s favor. Some aides suggested Trump was beginning to see the conflict through Kyiv’s eyes—a stark change from February’s tense Oval Office meeting, when Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three.”
Tomahawk missile hopes face uncertainty
After the failed Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and Russia’s escalating attacks, Kyiv believed Trump’s patience with his “good friend” might be waning. Ukrainian officials expected Friday’s White House talks to approve long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Trump’s remarks fueled cautious optimism. “Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so,” he told reporters. Experts warned that logistical hurdles could delay missile deployment for months.
Even so, Tomahawks would provide Ukraine with a decisive edge. They would allow strikes deep into Russian territory and signal a major shift in US commitment.
A mid-flight call shifts the agenda
The Trump-Putin phone conversation lasted two and a half hours while Zelensky was en route to Washington. Its timing threatened to overshadow his planned diplomatic push.
Zelensky tried to maintain composure, saying Russia was “rushing to renew dialogue” because of talk about Tomahawks. Analysts saw a familiar Kremlin tactic. Moscow confirmed it had requested the call, and Putin reportedly warned Trump that supplying Tomahawks would be a “serious provocation.”
The leaders also discussed what Russia called “colossal prospects” for trade if peace could be reached. They agreed to meet in Hungary within two weeks. Trump later described the call as “very productive.”
Ukraine braces for another harsh winter
As the war enters its fourth winter, Ukrainians doubt that Trump can deliver peace. A woman injured in a Russian missile strike on a train carriage summed up public sentiment from her hospital bed: “A person like Putin can’t be trusted.”
After arriving in Washington, Zelensky met with defense executives producing the advanced weapons Ukraine urgently needs. He will still request Tomahawks, though chances now appear slim.
The repeated cycle of persuasion
Each time Trump grows frustrated with Putin, a single phone call seems to calm him. Moscow repeatedly softens his stance, delaying tougher sanctions or new weapons aid.
The upcoming Hungary summit, offered without conditions, does not suggest US patience is waning. For now, Ukraine’s hopes for long-range missiles are fading. Instead of gaining leverage, Zelensky faces a diplomatic setback—delivered not on the battlefield, but over a phone line.
