Trump Ukraine has once again become the focus of world attention after U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to withhold new military aid to Ukraine in his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House on Friday (Oct. 17). Instead of promising long-range missile supplies like the Tomahawk requested by Kyiv, Trump called on both sides to “stop the war right now,” even if that means Ukraine would have to give up part of its territory.
Trump delivered the appeal after a meeting of more than two hours with Zelenskiy. He also confirmed that he would soon meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary, in an effort that he calls a step toward peace. The statement immediately raised concerns in Europe that Washington may be in the process of arranging a deal that benefits Moscow.
Trump urges a ceasefire, not new aid.
Zelenskiy arrives in Washington with the hope of securing additional military aid commitments. However, the results of the meeting actually show a new White House priority under Trump: diplomacy, not weapons.
Trump calls for an immediate end to the war.
"Stop at the front line of the battle, and everyone goes home to their families," Trump said in a statement before returning to his residence in Florida. He claimed to have delivered a similar message to Putin.
Trump stressed that the best solution is to stop the bloodshed, not to prolong it by the delivery of new weapons. "We also need Tomahawk missiles to defend our country," he said, rejecting Zelenskiy's request.
That statement marked a sharp shift from the United States' previous position, which had consistently supported Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid.
Zelenskiy's reaction: realistic but disappointed
Zelenskiy remained diplomatic in his response, calling the meeting "productive," even as he acknowledged that the chances of obtaining long-range missiles appear small. "We do not want to talk about Tomahawk now. America does not want escalation, and I am realistic," he said.
However, he stressed that he still hopes Trump can pressure Putin to stop the war. "President Trump is right, we must hold our current position, and then speak," Zelenskiy said after the meeting.
Meeting with Putin and Europe's concerns
Trump plans to meet Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks, marking the return of direct diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow.
Europe, beware of the "Silent Agreement"
European countries, especially those in NATO, cautiously welcome this step. A spokesman for the European Union said that it supported every genuine peace effort, but warned that there should be no agreement that undermines Ukraine's sovereignty.
This concern is not unfounded. From the early days of his presidency, Trump has been known to favor a personal negotiating approach with Putin, something that has frustrated many Western allies.
Putin: Pertemuan Mungkin Ditunda
From Moscow, the Kremlin said that the meeting might be delayed slightly from the two-week schedule Trump cited. "There are still many things that must be decided," said Putin's spokesman.
Nevertheless, many analysts view this move as Moscow's tactic to delay the decision and pressure Ukraine and its allies.
Tension in the Field: Russia Still Advancing
While diplomacy is underway in Washington, the battlefield situation remains hot. More than three years since the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia is still carrying out attacks and claiming new advances in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's Latest Claim
Putin claims his forces have captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory throughout 2025, adding 1% to the territory they had already controlled. Both sides have also intensified attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, with some Russian drones reportedly crossing the airspace of NATO member states.
However, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, asserted that Russia's attack failed to achieve its strategic objectives. "Russia has not managed to capture a new major city since the beginning of the year," he said.
Ukraine Still Ready to Fight
In a meeting, Zelenskiy said his country has thousands of drones ready to be used to attack Russian targets, but lacks long-range missiles. "We don't have a Tomahawk, that's why we need it," he said bluntly.
Trump replied coldly, "We would prefer that they not need it at all."
Analisis: Strategi Trump Bisa Ubah Dinamika Global
Step Trump Ukraine Withholding military support is seen as a signal of a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. Valuation Analyst Does Not Want to Pressure Russia.
Michael Carpenter, a former official at the U.S. State Department, said that Trump's stance is in line with an approach that is unwilling to "put real pressure on Russia." "This meeting is not what Zelensky was hoping for," he said to Reuters.
Max Bergmann from the Center for Strategic and International Studies added that Putin's move to get closer to Trump was likely intended to prevent the U.S. from sending Tomahawk missiles. "This is a classic tactic of delaying and weakening support for Kyiv," he said.
Ukraine needs constant pressure.
Mykola Bielieskov, organizational analyst. Come Back Alive, saying that Tomahawk missiles can balance power on the battlefield. We do not expect Russia to collapse in one or two attacks, but this is about constant pressure to weaken its military industry, he said.
A Personal Touch in the Midst of Tension
Even though it was tense, Trump managed to praise Zelenskiy personally. They praised the President of Ukraine because this time he wore a dark suit after previously being criticized for arriving at the White House without a jacket. "He looked very good in his suit," Trump said with a smile. I hope people pay attention.
That light remark became a brief moment that softened the mood in a meeting marked by high political and diplomatic tensions.
meeting Trump Ukraine This time emphasizes the shift in American strategy from full military support to direct diplomacy. However, for Kyiv, that message also serves as a reminder that this war is not necessarily won by weapons, but through the negotiating table controlled by Washington and Moscow.
The situation is still developing. All eyes are now on the Trump-Putin meeting in Hungary, which will determine whether this move brings peace, or instead marks a new phase of geopolitical compromise.
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