US President Donald Trump is currently holding a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of discussions with Kyiv, planned for Friday, to address its request for long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social network at 11.21 a.m. local time that he was already speaking with Putin, describing the conversation as “lengthy.” He said he and Putin would share details of the matters discussed individually after it concluded.
The call precedes a scheduled meeting at the White House on Friday between Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky – their fourth face-to-face discussion this year.
Earlier on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also hinted at a planned “Ukraine Victory Tariff” on China – aimed at bolstering aid for Kyiv and pressuring Beijing to stop buying Russian oil.
Zelensky has been pressing Washington to approve the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv in order to allow it to strike deeper into Russian territory, saying such a threat will prompt Putin to treat Trump’s calls to come to the negotiating table more seriously.
Kyiv contends that the Tomahawk, described by Trump as a “step up” in capability, will force Moscow to pull back air defense systems and make Ukrainian strikes more effective.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump pondered the prospect of handing over the cruise missiles, saying: “I might say [to Russia], ‘Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.”
“The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need [to see] that.”
Sources told Kyiv Post that the threat to supply the weapons was designed to put pressure on both Moscow and hesitant Western partners.
Trump has previously shown restraint about taking steps that he fears could escalate the war.
“I think I want to find out what they’re doing with them,” Trump told reporters last week, adding “I’m not looking to escalate that war.”
Russia has reacted with alarm to the discussions, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling state media on Thursday that Russia “will do everything to ensure the security of our country” in the event of a transfer of Tomahawk long-range missiles.
The renewed discussions come after Trump said it is “time to focus on Russia” as he completed a victory lap after brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Monday.