A surprise phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday disrupted 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 was stark. Within 24 hours, Russia launched dozens of missiles and over 300 drones across Ukraine. Civilian infrastructure suffered again, with gas pipelines damaged and power stations hit just as freezing temperatures arrive. Rolling blackouts now spread across the country, signaling a harsh winter ahead.
Moscow’s attacks reveal growing strain
For Ukrainian officials, the latest strikes show Moscow’s mounting frustration. The frontlines remain largely static, with enormous losses for minimal territorial gains. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian oil depots continue to pressure Moscow’s economy.
Zelensky had hoped his trip to Washington would secure new American military support. Before leaving Kyiv, he sounded confident that political winds were turning his way. Some aides even suggested Trump was beginning to see Ukraine’s perspective—a dramatic shift from February’s tense Oval Office meeting, when Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three.”
Tomahawk hopes hang in the balance
After the failed Trump-Putin Alaska summit and intensifying Russian attacks, Kyiv believed Trump’s patience with his “good friend” was fading. Ukrainian officials expected Friday’s White House talks to approve long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Trump’s own remarks fed that hope. “Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so,” he said earlier in the week. Experts warned, however, that even if approved, logistical challenges could delay deployment for months.
Still, Tomahawks would give Ukraine a powerful advantage. They would enable strikes deep inside Russia and signal a major shift in US commitment to Kyiv.
A mid-flight call shifts the agenda
The Trump-Putin call lasted two and a half hours while Zelensky was flying to Washington. Its timing undercut his planned diplomatic momentum.
Upon landing, Zelensky tried to remain composed, saying Russia was “rushing to renew dialogue” because of talk about Tomahawks. Analysts saw a familiar Kremlin tactic. The call, confirmed by Moscow, included a warning from Putin that delivering Tomahawks would be a “serious provocation.”
The leaders also discussed what Russia called “colossal prospects” for trade if peace could be achieved. They agreed to meet in Hungary within two weeks. Trump later called the conversation “very productive.”
Ukraine braces for a harsh winter
As the war enters its fourth winter, few Ukrainians believe Trump can deliver peace. One woman, injured in a Russian strike on a train carriage, summed up the mood from her hospital bed: “A person like Putin can’t be trusted.”
After arriving in Washington, Zelensky met US defense company executives producing the advanced weapons his country urgently needs. He will still request Tomahawks, though the chances now appear smaller than before.
The recurring cycle of persuasion
Each time Trump grows frustrated with Putin, the Russian president seems able to calm him. One phone call often softens Trump’s stance, delaying new sanctions or weapons deliveries.
The planned Hungary summit, offered without conditions, does not suggest Washington’s 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 by artillery, but by a phone line.
