Trump and Zelenskyy Expected To Discuss Air Defense and Long-Range Missiles at Upcoming White House Meeting

Latest Developments

• Zelenskyy Returning to White House: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the United States on October 17 for his third meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. Coming on the heels of two Trump-Zelenskyy phone calls last weekend, Zelenskyy announced his visit as a senior Ukrainian delegation traveled to Washington to meet with American policy makers. Zelenskyy stated that his visit’s primary focus will be on air defense and his request for Tomahawk long-range missiles. Zelenskyy said he would also meet with American defense and energy companies. U.S. sanctions on Russia will also likely be on the agenda.
• Trump ‘Might Have to Speak to Russia’: On October 12, Trump said that he “might have to speak to Russia” to warn Moscow that if it continues to refuse a peace settlement, he “may send [Ukraine] Tomahawks.” He added, “Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.” After originally stating that Tomahawks would not “change the dynamic” of the war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 12 that their provision to Ukraine would be an “extreme concern.” Asked about the issue on October 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would respond to the Tomahawks by strengthening Russia’s air defense posture — notably avoiding any threat of escalation.
• Russia Targeting Ukraine’s Electrical Grid: As winter approaches, Russia has renewed its focus on bombarding Ukraine’s electricity grid and gas industry in recent weeks. On October 13, Ukrainian authorities reported that three guided bombs hit electricity transmission lines near a hospital in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, cutting power to nearly 30,000 residents and injuring 57 people at the hospital. On October 10, more than a million households and businesses in Kyiv lost power after its energy infrastructure was targeted by a major drone and missile barrage. This came as Ukrainian officials said recent Russian strikes had knocked out nearly 60 percent of the country’s gas production.

FDD Expert Response

“The upcoming Trump-Zelenskyy meeting should highlight what President Trump can do to pressure Russia into serious peace discussions. A big topic of discussion will likely be Tomahawk missiles, but an even more important discussion is U.S. support for Ukraine’s use of its new Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) — an air-delivered long-range cruise missile that will be delivered in significant numbers to Ukraine this fall.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation

“The path to peace in Ukraine runs through Moscow. President Trump must make it unbearable for Putin to sustain his war. This means pulling the trigger on secondary energy sanctions for Russia’s oil and gas customers and enabling Kyiv to smash the Kremlin’s oil refineries.” — Peter Doran, Adjunct Senior Fellow

“Ukraine is holding Russian forces to minor gains while inflicting enormous casualties as well as growing costs on the Russian economy. President Trump should use the tools at his disposal — such as tougher sanctions on Russia and military support for Ukraine, including long-range strike capabilities — to compound the pressure on Russia and bolster Ukraine’s defenses. Putin must be made to see that Ukrainian forces will not break and Russia will pay a mounting price the longer it continues the war.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

FDD Background and Analysis

“America must stop aiding our enemies by enabling the shadowy world of dirty cash,” by Josh Birenbaum

“‘Zero Real Reaction’: Zelenskyy Frustrated Over Western Response to Russian Attacks on Ukraine,” FDD Flash Brief

“Trump will help Ukraine hit Putin where it hurts — to finally end his bloody war,” by John Hardie

“Oil holds the key to Ukraine war’s end — if Trump plays hardball,” by Richard Goldberg and John Hardie