President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Kyiv disappointed after his meeting at the White House. He called the talk with President Donald Trump “pointed,” but the visit did not deliver the results Ukraine hoped for.
High Hopes Before the Trip
Before leaving for Washington, Ukraine’s leaders were optimistic. Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament and a close ally of Zelensky, called the trip a “very important historical moment.” Ukrainian officials hoped the meeting would convince the U.S. to act more strongly against Russia. A key issue was whether the United States would allow Ukraine to use long-range Tomahawk missiles to pressure Russia.
A Phone Call Changed the Mood
While Zelensky’s plane was in the air, news surfaced of a long phone call between Trump and Vladimir Putin. Reports said the two leaders spoke for more than two hours, and a new summit was later announced. By the time the Ukrainian delegation landed, the hopeful mood had faded. The U.S. greeting was low-key, and Ukraine’s optimism felt delayed.
A Meeting Marked by Caution
During the White House meeting, Trump suggested he wanted a deal and talked about frozen front lines and both sides returning to their families. He framed the conflict as a dispute between leaders, not as a wider act of aggression. Zelensky praised Trump’s peacemaking efforts and thanked him repeatedly, while also making it clear he did not trust Putin’s intentions. Zelensky said Ukraine understands that “Putin is not ready” for a real peace.
No Tomahawks, No Security Guarantees
In the end, Zelensky left without the key items Ukraine wanted. There was no approval for Tomahawk missiles and no firm U.S. security guarantees. For Ukraine and its allies, the war is a fight against an aggressive state that seeks to expand its power, not merely a personal quarrel. Ukraine wanted weapons to gain leverage and formal guarantees to enforce any future peace deal. It did not get them.
Voices from Kyiv
Back in Kyiv, people affected by recent attacks shared their views. In a suburb hit by two Russian missiles, residents were repairing homes and shops. One shop owner, Volodymyr Tsepovatenko, said a quick peace deal would leave Ukraine vulnerable. He warned that Russia could regroup and launch a more professional assault later. He called for measures that would remove any chance of future occupation.
Another resident, Oleksandr Vilko, whose car was destroyed by blast damage, said he is less worried about the Tomahawk decision. He believes the army will decide the next steps and that Ukraine must keep fighting until it is safe.
