Trump believes Ukraine seeks escalation: CNN reveals reason behind refusal to supply Tomahawks
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly hold diverging views on how the war in Ukraine should proceed, CNN reports.
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held several hours of negotiations with their top advisers present. Multiple insiders described the meeting as tense, frank, and at times "uncomfortable."
During what officials called a "direct and honest" exchange, Trump reportedly made it clear that Zelenskyy would not receive long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory, weapons that Kyiv has repeatedly requested.
One official told CNN that Trump believes Ukraine seeks escalation and prolongation of the conflict, while also fearing that the country could face heavy losses as winter approaches.
Shortly after the meeting, Trump publicly called for a ceasefire along the current front line and urged an end to the bloodshed. Another senior source said the US president justified his refusal to supply the missiles by pointing to "realities of where the conflict stands," stressing that “there has been too much destruction and too many deaths.”
"Both sides need to make a deal," another official added, warning that the situation would only worsen if fighting continues.
Zelenskyy later described the talks in a social media post as a "pointed conversation," but emphasized that the outcome could "can really help bring this war closer to an end."
Background
On October 17, Zelenskyy met with Trump at the White House for high-level talks. Following the meeting, Trump said the US aimed to end the war without sending Tomahawk long-range missiles to Kyiv.
He reiterated his proposal for both sides to halt the fighting along the current front line, regardless of where it lies.
Before meeting Zelenskyy, Trump had a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. Afterward, he announced plans for a new summit with the Kremlin chief, expected to take place within two weeks in Budapest.
The meeting with Putin will reportedly be bilateral, with Zelenskyy participating remotely as an intermediary.
