What's happened
On October 17, 2025, President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, urging a peace deal with Russia and suggesting both sides accept current front lines. Trump hinted at providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles but emphasized avoiding escalation. Zelenskyy sought advanced weaponry, including Tomahawks, offering Ukrainian drones in exchange. Trump and Putin agreed to meet soon in Budapest to discuss peace.
What's behind the headline?
Trump’s Shift from Military Support to Diplomacy
President Trump’s recent stance marks a significant pivot from earlier support for Ukraine’s full territorial recovery to advocating a negotiated peace based on current front lines. This shift aligns with his broader agenda to broker peace deals, as seen in the Middle East, and reflects his desire to end conflicts during his presidency.
The Tomahawk Missile Dilemma
Tomahawk missiles represent a strategic game-changer for Ukraine, enabling deep strikes into Russian territory. Zelenskyy’s offer to trade thousands of Ukrainian drones for Tomahawks underscores Kyiv’s urgent need for advanced weaponry. However, Trump’s reluctance to supply these missiles outright, citing U.S. stockpile concerns and escalation risks, reveals a balancing act between supporting Ukraine and managing U.S.-Russia relations.
The Budapest Summit and Its Implications
The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, hosted by Hungary’s Viktor Orban, signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough but raises concerns. Critics worry the meeting could favor Moscow’s interests, especially given Trump’s conciliatory tone and the absence of Zelenskyy from the talks. The summit’s outcome will likely shape the conflict’s trajectory and Western support for Ukraine.
Impact on the Conflict and International Relations
Renewed diplomatic efforts may reduce immediate hostilities but risk freezing the conflict in a status quo unfavorable to Ukraine. The intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure ahead of winter increase urgency for Western aid. The U.S. and European allies face pressure to balance military support with diplomatic engagement, while managing internal debates over escalation.
Forecast
Trump’s mediation efforts will likely continue to dominate U.S. policy discourse, influencing NATO and EU decisions. The success of the Budapest summit will determine whether a ceasefire or a prolonged stalemate ensues. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military needs remain critical, and delays in advanced weapon deliveries could hamper Kyiv’s defense capabilities.
What the papers say
The New Arab and The Moscow Times provide detailed accounts of Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, highlighting his push for Tomahawk missiles and Trump’s call for a peace deal. The New Arab quotes Zelenskyy emphasizing Ukraine’s refusal to reward terrorists and his call for decisive Western support. The Moscow Times echoes these points and details the intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
The Independent offers insight into the White House meeting’s tone, noting Trump’s praise for Zelenskyy and his cautious approach to missile supply, including the possibility of a drone-for-Tomahawk exchange. It also covers Trump’s acknowledgment of being potentially "played" by Putin and his hopes for a ninth peace deal.
The South China Morning Post and The Mirror focus on Trump’s recent call with Putin and the upcoming Budapest summit, underscoring Trump’s role as a mediator and his reluctance to escalate the conflict with missile supplies. The Mirror adds color with Trump’s remarks on the "vicious" nature of Tomahawks and his humorous take on the summit location.
The Japan Times and The Independent (Oct 13) report on Trump’s earlier openness to using Tomahawks as leverage with Putin, reflecting a nuanced U.S. stance balancing military aid and diplomatic pressure.
Together, these sources illustrate a complex interplay of diplomacy, military strategy, and political calculation shaping the Ukraine conflict’s near-term future.
How we got here
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has caused massive casualties and territorial losses. Ukraine has sought advanced Western weaponry, including Tomahawk missiles, to counter Russian attacks, especially on civilian infrastructure. Diplomatic efforts have stalled, but recent talks between Trump and Putin, and Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy, signal renewed attempts at negotiation.
Go deeper
- What is the significance of the Tomahawk missiles in the Ukraine conflict?
- How might the upcoming Budapest summit between Trump and Putin affect the war?
- What are the risks of providing advanced weapons to Ukraine?
Common question
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Will the US send long-range missiles to Ukraine?
The possibility of the US supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine is a hot topic right now. With ongoing conflicts and escalating tensions, many are wondering if this move could change the course of the war. In this page, we explore what’s happening, what it could mean for Ukraine and Russia, and what future military support might look like.
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Will Trump’s Peace Deal Help End the Ukraine War?
Recent diplomatic efforts have brought Donald Trump into the spotlight regarding the Ukraine conflict. With Trump suggesting a ceasefire and discussing long-range missile support, many are wondering if his approach could finally lead to peace. In this page, we explore what Trump’s involvement means for Ukraine, Russia, and US diplomacy, and answer the key questions you might have about the current situation.
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What Do US Diplomatic Moves Mean for Global Stability?
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What Did Trump Say About Ukraine and Russia Peace?
Recent diplomatic moves have brought new attention to the US, Ukraine, and Russia peace efforts. With high-profile meetings and calls between leaders, many are wondering what the key players are saying about ending the conflict. In this page, we explore what Donald Trump has said about peace talks, whether the US and Ukraine are pushing for escalation or diplomacy, and how Ukrainian President Zelensky is responding to these developments. Keep reading to find out the latest on these critical diplomatic moves and what they could mean for the future of Ukraine and Russia.
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What’s Next in Ukraine-Russia Diplomacy? Latest Peace Efforts Explained
Diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia are evolving amid ongoing conflict. Recent meetings involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia hint at possible peace negotiations, but questions remain. Will a peace deal happen soon? What role are Western powers playing? Here’s what you need to know about the current state of Ukraine-Russia diplomacy and what might come next.
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What Are the Key Countries Saying About Peace in Ukraine?
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has drawn international attention, with world leaders expressing a range of views on peace prospects. From US diplomacy to Russian comments, understanding what the key players are saying can help clarify the current diplomatic landscape. Below, we explore the latest statements and what they mean for Ukraine's future peace efforts.
More on these topics
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.