Three-way negotiations with Russian and Ukrainian presidents may end war, Trump says

The Russia-Ukraine war may be nearing an end, with or without the exchange of Ukrainian drones for U.S. Tomahawk missiles, President Donald Trump told the press Friday at the Bilateral Lunch in the Cabinet Room of the White House. 

Ukraine owns thousands of advanced drones and is seeking to trade some with the U.S. in exchange for American Tomahawks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. 

“The United States has Tomahawks and other missiles, very strong missiles, but they can have our thousands of drones,” Zelenskyy said. “That’s why where we can work together, where we can strengthen American production.” 

Trump said he and Zelenskyy “will be talking about Tomahawks,” but wants to end the Ukrainian war without the exchange.  

“Tomahawks are very dangerous weapons. They’re incredible weapons,” Trump said. “It’s one of the most accurate. It could mean escalation. It could mean a lot of bad things can happen.” 

Although the U.S. already develops many of its own drones and buys others, it is interested in Ukraine’s drones because “they make a very good drone,” Trump said, adding the U.S. is not involved in the Ukrainian war for technological advancement or weapon exchange, but “to bring it to an end.”  

Trump said he hopes to end the war without granting Tomahawks because America needs the weapons for its own defense. 

“We want Tomahawks also,” Trump said. “We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country. We have a very strong country right now. We have a strong military. I want to get this war over.” 

Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and talked “for two and a half hours.” Trump called himself “the mediator” between Putin, who he said wants to end the war, and Zelenskyy, and will likely organize a “double meeting” with the two presidents in Hungary.  

“These two leaders do not like each other, and we want to make it comfortable for everyone,” Trump said. “There is tremendous bad blood, but we are going to get it done and make it long-lasting.” 

Trump repeatedly referenced his recent deal to end the Israel-Hamas war, which he called “far more complicated.” He said both Putin and Zelenskyy want it done, and there is “a good chance.” 

“All they have to do is get along a little bit,” Trump said. 

Zelenskyy, whom Trump said is “a very strong leader who has been through a lot,” said he is “confident” with Trump’s help they can end the war.  

“I think this is a momentum to finish Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.  

Trump said the war has lasted far too long and thousands of lives are still being lost. 

“We’re in it to save thousands of lives every week, thousands and thousands of lives. That’s why we’re in it,” Trump said. “I think we have a very good chance of bringing this war to a conclusion.” 

Following his private meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy spoke with reporters and said Ukraine “counts on the president’s [Trump] pressure on Putin to end this war.” A reporter asked if Zelenskyy was more optimistic or pessimistic about obtaining tomahawks from the U.S.

“I’m realistic,” he said.