Russia Trump speaks with Putin on the phone and receives Selenskyj
After successfully sealing a ceasefire in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump is now turning his attention back to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The Republican wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest "probably in the next two weeks", as he announced after a telephone conversation with the Kremlin leader. The two heads of state had already met in Alaska in August - without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and without any tangible results. Even now, it is unclear what role Zelensky will play this time.
17.10.2025, 04:51
SDA
The Ukrainian president is currently on a visit to the USA, where a meeting with Trump is planned at the White House this Friday. The Putin phone call brings a new dynamic - because the Ukrainian's plan had actually already become apparent. He is hoping that Trump will approve the sale of the US Tomahawk cruise missile, which has a long range. This would allow Ukraine to take more offensive action against the Russian war of aggression. However, it is uncertain whether this will happen.
Selenskyj and US representatives repeatedly emphasize that the Russian leadership can only be forced to give in with a policy of strength. At the same time, Trump says that his country also needs the Tomahawks.
Trump has long tried to intervene as a mediator in the Ukraine war. So far without much success. After the Alaska meeting, Trump had originally aimed for a three-way meeting in the negotiations to end the fighting - but this never took place.
Russia started the war in February 2022 with an attack on Ukraine. Since then, the fighting has continued relentlessly.
Selensky meets with arms companies
With regard to the talks with US President Trump planned for Friday, Zelensky expressed his hope that, as with the conflict in the Middle East, a language of strength would also lead to success with Russia. "We can already see that Moscow hastened to renew the dialog as soon as it heard about the Tomahawk (cruise missiles)," the Ukrainian wrote after the phone call between Trump and Putin became known. He later posted on Telegram: "Every decision that can strengthen us brings the end of the war closer. Security can be guaranteed if everything we agree, especially in Washington, is implemented."
Selensky had already arrived in the US capital Washington on Thursday. "Today there will be meetings with representatives of arms companies and these are manufacturers of powerful weapons that will definitely strengthen our defense," the head of state announced on social networks on Thursday. There will be talks about additional deliveries of air defense systems. Against the backdrop of the energy crisis in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks, meetings with representatives of US energy companies are also planned. The focus on Friday should be on the Tomahawks.
Why Ukraine wants Tomahawks
The Tomahawk precision weapon manufactured by a US company for long-range attacks could be fired from Ukraine far into Russian territory. Russia has repeatedly warned against such a move and continues to attack targets in Ukraine regardless.
Days ago, Trump said of Ukraine: "They want to go on the offensive. I will make a decision on that". It remained unclear exactly when this would take place. The US President remained vague. Other options are also being looked at. It is unclear how much the phone call with Putin will influence the situation.
Russia brings alleged nuclear threat into play
In connection with Tomahawks, Russia recently brought an alleged nuclear threat into play. The deputy head of the National Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, wrote on Telegram: "The delivery of these cruise missiles could end badly for everyone. And especially for Trump himself." On approach, it is not possible to tell whether a Tomahawk cruise missile is nuclear-tipped or not. However, according to the US Library of Congress in mid-September, the USA has not had Tomahawks that can be equipped with nuclear weapons since 2013.
Trump qualifies: Our country also needs Tomahawks
Trump and Selensky had already spoken on the phone a few days ago. The US President told journalists that they had discussed weapons - he did not mention any names. He emphasized that the USA supplies weapons to NATO, the defence alliance pays for them and passes them on to Ukraine. This could theoretically also be considered for Tomahawks.
After the phone call with Zelenskyi, Trump said that Ukraine wanted more weapons - they were looking into whether this was possible. "We hope that we can provide them with these weapons." Trump did not clarify which weapons were involved. However, he also emphasized: "Our country also needs weapons. We can't give away so many weapons that we don't have any ourselves." He emphasized this once again on the day before the meeting, dampening expectations: "We also need tomahawks for the USA."
More arms aid from Europe
Selensky comes to Washington with a tailwind from Europe. At the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Wednesday, he received pledges for even more arms aid. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and his British counterpart John Healey announced arms cooperation. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth increased the pressure on the Kremlin. If Moscow is not prepared to make peace soon, the US and its allies will ensure that the war is really expensive for Russia, the Pentagon chief threatened.
Trump: India no longer wants to buy oil from Russia
According to him, Trump's strategy of exerting pressure on Russia's trading partners is now having an effect. The US President said that India would no longer purchase oil from Russia in future, thus giving in to Washington's demands. In August, the USA imposed punitive tariffs on India because the country trades in energy with Russia. The USA wants to stop this in order to weaken Russia economically and thus make it more difficult to finance the war in Ukraine. Oil and gas exports are an important source of income for Russia.
