President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, signaling a renewed effort to bring an end to Russia’s more than three-year invasion of Ukraine.
Fresh off what he has described as a “historic” Middle East ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Trump struck an upbeat tone about his ability to mediate another major global conflict — this time between Kyiv and Moscow.
“I’m the mediator president, and I’m mediating a not easy situation,” Trump told reporters before lunch with Zelensky. “It should be easy.”
The meeting, held as a working lunch in the State Dining Room, appeared more cordial than their last high-profile encounter in February, which devolved into shouting among Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President J.D. Vance. On Friday, both leaders presented a calm, if cautious, image of cooperation.
Here are five key takeaways from the White House meeting:
1. Trump Downplays Ukraine’s Push for Tomahawk Missiles
Trump cooled expectations that Washington would soon provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles — a major request from Kyiv as it struggles to counter deep Russian strikes.
“It’s not easy for us to give,” Trump said. “You’re talking about massive numbers of very powerful weapons.”
He suggested that peace talks might render the missiles unnecessary: “Hopefully, they won’t need it. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the war over with without thinking about Tomahawks.”
Zelensky, however, kept the topic alive, floating a potential trade — Ukrainian-made drones for U.S. long-range missiles. “The U.S. has Tomahawks, and we have thousands of drones,” he said. “That’s where we can strengthen American production.”
Military analysts note that Tomahawks, with their ability to strike targets up to 1,500 miles away, could significantly expand Ukraine’s capacity to hit Russian military infrastructure.
Trump praised Ukraine’s drone production, calling it “very good,” but reiterated that Washington’s focus is “getting the war done, not expanding it.”
2. Trump and Zelensky Offer Conflicting Readings of Putin’s Intentions
Trump expressed renewed confidence in reaching a settlement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing what he described as a “positive” phone call Thursday evening.
“I think we’re close,” Trump said. “They both want to make a deal — and they’re both doing a great job.”
Zelensky’s assessment was far less optimistic. The Ukrainian leader, who arrived in Washington after a wave of Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, said Putin “is not ready” to end the war.
“But I’m confident that with your help, we can stop this war,” Zelensky told Trump. “We really need it.”
He emphasized that any deal must include strong “security guarantees” for Ukraine to prevent future Russian aggression.
3. Trump Compliments Zelensky’s Wardrobe — Again
In a lighter moment, Trump took note of Zelensky’s attire — a dark jacket paired with his usual military-style shirt.
“I think he looks beautiful in this jacket,” Trump said with a grin. “It’s very stylish.”
The comment drew chuckles in the room and a brief exchange between the two leaders. The Ukrainian president’s wardrobe had previously sparked minor controversy during his February visit, when critics on the right accused him of dressing “too casually” for the White House.
4. Trump Blasts Spain Over NATO Spending
Trump turned his fire on Spain, accusing Madrid of “disloyalty” to NATO for refusing to meet the alliance’s new 5 percent defense spending target.
“Spain has not been loyal to NATO,” he said. “Everyone went up — except Spain. I think they should be reprimanded for that.”
Spain has argued that the 5 percent target, set during a NATO summit in June, is financially untenable and has sought an exemption. Trump this week threatened to impose tariffs on Spanish goods in retaliation.
Madrid’s defense minister responded earlier, saying Spain “remains a loyal ally” and is “not worried” about U.S. threats.
5. Trump Drops F-Bomb Over Venezuela Question
The most startling moment came when Trump, responding to a question about Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, lost his temper.
“He doesn’t want to f--- around with the U.S.,” Trump snapped, abruptly ending the press portion of the meeting.
The remark underscored the president’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Venezuela, where U.S. forces recently conducted their sixth strike against what Trump described as “drug trafficking submarines.”
“Just so you understand, this was not an innocent group of people,” Trump said afterward. “I don’t know too many people that have submarines.”
While Zelensky remained diplomatic and largely unruffled, Trump’s flash of anger revived memories of their tense February encounter — a reminder that even as the president seeks to cast himself as a global mediator, volatility remains part of his diplomatic style.
The Bottom Line
Friday’s meeting showed a more measured Trump and a cautious Zelensky, united publicly in their desire to “get it done” but divided on how close peace with Russia really is.
Trump’s optimism — buoyed by his Middle East ceasefire deal — may signal a White House eager to claim another foreign policy breakthrough. But Zelensky’s warnings about Putin’s intentions, and Trump’s reluctance to deliver advanced weaponry, underscore the steep road still ahead toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades.
