Trump Balances Diplomacy With Putin as Ukraine Awaits U.S. Weapons

Ukrainians voiced frustration on Saturday after hopes faded that the United States would supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. The disappointment followed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, which ended without a clear weapons commitment.

While the talks were seen as an opportunity to boost Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion, many in Kyiv said the outcome reflected political hesitation in Washington rather than a lack of support. The meeting came as Ukraine’s engineers restored power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, easing growing fears over Europe’s largest atomic facility.

White House Talks End Without Breakthrough

Zelenskyy had entered Friday’s meeting optimistic that the U.S. might approve the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which Ukrainian officials believe could alter the battlefield balance and pressure Moscow into negotiations. But despite earlier signals from Trump that Washington might authorize the transfer, no agreement was reached.

For many Ukrainians, the outcome was disheartening yet unsurprising. “Ukraine won’t get those missiles. It’s a political game,” said Roman Vynnychenko, a Ukrainian serviceman interviewed by the Associated Press in Kyiv. “Every day civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed,” he added, emphasizing that Ukraine must continue securing weapons from alternative partners.

The long-range U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, capable of striking targets more than 1,000 kilometers away, have been high on Kyiv’s wish list since early in the conflict. Defense experts say they could enable Ukraine to disrupt Russian supply routes deep inside occupied territories.

Trump Balances Support With Caution Toward Moscow

Trump’s stance on Ukraine has fluctuated since his return to office nine months ago. After initially expressing frustration with the war’s cost and duration, he appeared to warm to Kyiv’s appeals in recent weeks, saying he wanted to help Ukraine “win decisively.”

However, his tone shifted again after a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The U.S. leader announced he would meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks — a move raising hopes for diplomatic progress but also concerns about Ukraine’s leverage.

Analysts in Washington and Brussels noted that Trump’s balancing act reflects both domestic political pressures and a desire to position himself as a global dealmaker. Yet in Kyiv, such diplomacy is met with skepticism. “We have been at war for more than three years. We just want peace,” said psychologist Victoria Khramtsova, reflecting public fatigue after years of bombardment.

War of Attrition Continues Across Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has turned into a grinding war across a 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front. Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to exchange artillery, drone, and missile attacks along the eastern and southern regions.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russian forces launched three missiles and 164 drones overnight on Friday, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting 136 of them. Local officials in the Sumy region said two women, aged 51 and 53, were injured when Russian drones hit a gas station in the Zarichny district.

Despite limited progress on the battlefield, Kyiv remains determined to secure more advanced Western weapons. Ukrainian officials argue that stronger deterrence is essential to push Russian troops back and prevent future aggression.

Zaporizhzhia Power Supply Restored, Easing Nuclear Fears

Amid the political uncertainty, Ukraine received one piece of positive news. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that work had begun to restore the power supply to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, ending a four-week outage that forced the facility to rely on backup diesel generators.

The repairs were made possible after Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones to allow technicians safe access. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi called the power restoration “crucial for nuclear safety and security,” commending both sides for cooperating with international monitors.

“Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed,” Grossi said in a statement. The project will be completed in two stages — first repairing the Ferosplavna-1 line, followed by the Dniprovska line.

The Zaporizhzhia facility, captured by Russian forces early in the war, has repeatedly lost its external power connections — 42 times since 2022, according to the IAEA. Although the plant’s six reactors are currently shut down, it still requires electricity to cool fuel and prevent a potential meltdown.

Nuclear Safety Remains a Global Concern

Grossi warned that relying on diesel generators — originally designed as an emergency safeguard — had become “an all too common occurrence.” He added, “As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remain under severe threat.”

Experts say even a localized incident at Zaporizhzhia could have catastrophic consequences for millions across Eastern Europe. The facility’s vulnerability has drawn consistent international attention, with calls for a demilitarized zone around the plant remaining unfulfilled.

Ukrainians Hold Onto Hope Amid Uncertainty

As the conflict enters its fourth year, Ukrainians are adapting to a prolonged struggle marked by uncertainty and fatigue. Many view Western diplomacy with guarded optimism, wary of shifting political winds in Washington and Europe.

For Zelenskyy, the challenge lies in balancing diplomatic engagement with sustained military readiness. His government continues to press for security guarantees and defense aid, even as global attention drifts toward other crises.

Despite setbacks, many Ukrainians remain resolute. “We will keep fighting with what we have,” said Vynnychenko. “No one will hand us freedom — we have to defend it ourselves.”

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