The Ukrainian leader suggested his country could offer drones in exchange for the Tomahawks, prompting smiles and nodding from Trump.
Zelensky also complimented Trump on his role in securing the first phase of a peace deal in the Middle East, suggesting the US leader could build on that momentum to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
After the meeting, Zelensky was asked by a reporter outside the White House if he thought Putin wanted a deal or was just buying time with the planned meeting with Trump in Budapest.
“I don’t know,” he said, adding that the prospect of Ukraine having Tomahawks had caused Russia to be “afraid because it is a strong weapon”.
Asked if he was leaving Washington more optimistic that Ukraine would get the Tomahawks, he said: “I am realistic.”
The Ukrainian leader also appeared to suggest he would be amenable to Trump’s suggestion of stopping the war along the current front line.
“We have to stop where we are, he is right, the president is right,” Zelensky said. He added that the step after that would be “to speak”.
He later posted on X, saying that he had called European leaders to share details of the meeting with Trump, adding that the “main priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the call with European leaders was “productive” and promised that “the UK will continue to send humanitarian aid and military support”.
While Trump had shown an openness to the idea of selling the Tomahawks in recent days, Putin warned that such a move would further strain the US-Russian relationship.
On Thursday, Trump said “great progress” was made during a phone call with Putin, with the pair agreeing to face-to-face talks soon in Hungary – although no date has been set.
Asked by a reporter on Friday if he was concerned Putin might be playing for time by agreeing to a new summit, Trump said: “I am.”
“But I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well. So, it’s possible, a little time, it’s alright. But I think that I’m pretty good at this stuff. I think that he wants to make a deal,” he said.
When asked by another reporter whether Zelensky would be involved in the prospective talks in Budapest, Trump – who was sat beside the Ukrainian president said there was “bad blood” between Putin and Zelenksy.
“We want to make it comfortable for everybody,” Trump said. “We’ll be involved in threes, but it may be separated.” He added that the three leaders “have to get together”.
