A surprise phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday disrupted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s mission 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 US weapons.
The timing was critical. Within 24 hours, Russia fired dozens of missiles and launched over 300 drones across Ukraine. Civilian infrastructure suffered again, with gas pipelines and power stations damaged just as freezing temperatures arrive. Rolling blackouts now spread nationwide, signaling a harsh winter ahead.
Moscow’s strikes expose mounting strain
For Ukrainian officials, the latest attacks reveal Russia’s growing desperation. Frontlines remain largely static, with massive casualties for minimal territorial gain. At the same time, Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian oil depots continue to strain Moscow’s economy.
Zelensky had placed high hopes on his Washington visit to secure more US military support. Before departure, he sounded confident. Some aides suggested Trump was beginning to see Ukraine’s perspective—a sharp contrast to February’s tense Oval Office meeting, when Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three.”
Tomahawk missile hopes under threat
After the failed Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and Russia’s intensifying attacks, Kyiv believed Trump’s patience with his “good friend” might be waning. Ukrainian officials expected Friday’s White House talks to approve long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Trump’s remarks fueled cautious optimism. “Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so,” he said. Experts warned that logistical challenges could delay deployment for months.
Still, Tomahawks would give Ukraine a decisive edge. They would allow strikes deep into Russian territory and signal a clear shift in US support.
Mid-flight call changes the dynamics
The Trump-Putin phone conversation lasted two and a half hours while Zelensky was flying to Washington. Its timing shifted the diplomatic balance.
Zelensky tried to remain composed, claiming Russia was “rushing to renew dialogue” because of Tomahawk discussions. Analysts, however, viewed it as a familiar Kremlin tactic. Moscow confirmed it had requested the call, and Putin reportedly warned Trump that supplying 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 described the conversation as “very productive.”
Ukraine braces for a difficult winter
As the war enters its fourth winter, Ukrainians are skeptical that Trump can deliver peace. One woman, injured in a Russian strike on a train carriage, summarized the mood from her hospital bed: “A person like Putin can’t be trusted.”
After arriving in Washington, Zelensky met with defense company executives producing the advanced weapons Ukraine urgently needs. He will still request Tomahawks, though chances now appear slim.
The cycle of persuasion repeats
Whenever Trump grows frustrated with Putin, a single phone call seems to calm him. Moscow repeatedly softens his stance, delaying tougher sanctions or advanced weapons deliveries.
The planned Hungary summit, offered without conditions, does not indicate US patience is waning. For now, Ukraine’s hopes for long-range missiles have diminished. Instead of a breakthrough, Zelensky faces a diplomatic setback—delivered not on the battlefield, but over a phone line.
