Walking a Tightrope: Zelenskyy's Washington Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington is centered on securing advanced weaponry, but a recent phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin adds complexity to the discussions. The potential sale of long-range "Tomahawk" cruise missiles is a key topic, overshadowed by Trump's shifting stance after speaking with the Russian leader.

Key Points

Zelenskyy seeks the approval for the sale of "Tomahawk" cruise missiles to Ukraine, capable of striking targets within Russia.
Trump previously hinted at supplying "Tomahawks" if Russia didn't de-escalate but has since tempered expectations after a phone call with Putin.
Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest within the next two weeks, with high-ranking officials meeting beforehand, led by Marco Rubio on the US side.
Zelenskyy's potential exclusion from the Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest is raising concerns.
Ukrainian officials suggest that the mere discussion of "Tomahawk" missiles prompted Putin to engage in dialogue with Trump.
The delivery of "Tomahawk" missiles could allow Ukraine to extend attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure.

Background

The Ukrainian government has been lobbying for the acquisition of long-range "Tomahawk" cruise missiles for some time. Initially, signals from the White House appeared promising, with Trump even using the possibility of supplying these missiles as leverage against Russia. However, Trump's recent phone call with Putin has introduced uncertainty, potentially jeopardizing the arms deal and shifting the focus towards Trump's broader efforts to broker a peace agreement. This situation places Zelenskyy in a precarious position, as he must balance the need for advanced weaponry with the risk of being sidelined in diplomatic negotiations between the US and Russia. Previous meetings between Trump and Putin, such as the one in Alaska, have been criticized for granting Putin a platform without yielding tangible progress towards a resolution.

Numbers & Facts

October 17, 2025: Date of the article's publication.
"Tomahawk" cruise missiles: The primary weapon system under discussion.
Budapest: The planned location for the next Trump-Putin summit.
Marco Rubio: To lead US delegation in preliminary talks.
Two weeks: Approximate timeframe for the Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest.
Alaska Summit: The location of the last personal meeting between Trump and Putin two months prior.

Assessment

The success of Zelenskyy's visit hinges on his ability to convince Trump of the strategic importance of providing Ukraine with "Tomahawk" missiles. However, Trump's engagement with Putin, and the planned summit in Budapest, indicate a potential shift towards prioritizing direct negotiations with Russia. This could marginalize Ukraine's role in the peace process and undermine its efforts to strengthen its military capabilities. The situation is particularly sensitive given the potential for "Tomahawk" missiles to escalate the conflict by enabling Ukraine to strike targets within Russia. For Russia, the dialogue initiated by the USA, even if only by hinting the delivery of long range missiles to Ukraine, is a win.

Outlook

The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the future of US-Ukraine relations and the trajectory of the conflict. The outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest will likely have a significant impact on the level of US support for Ukraine and the prospects for a peaceful resolution. Whether Zelenskyy will be included in further discussions remains uncertain. The preliminary talks led by Marco Rubio will provide further insight into the US's approach.

Source: https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/selenskyj-trump-besuch-100.html