After the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at the White House, international initiatives to resolve the war in Ukraine have intensified. The UK has proposed creating a joint peace plan, and the European Union is considering the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons. Against this background, the Kremlin is trying to influence Washington's position, combining threats with economic proposals.
Zelensky met with Trump at the White House: Tomahawk missiles, meeting with Putin and energy were discussed
On October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House, where his fourth meeting with US President Donald Trump took place. The leaders' conversation continued in the format of a working lunch and concerned issues of defense, energy and the possible transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Zelensky was accompanied to the United States by the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, the Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk and the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Olga Stefanishyna. According to sources, the main topics of the talks were strengthening air defense, developing defense cooperation and Ukraine's energy security.
During the meeting, Trump spoke about the planned talks with Putin, which, according to him, will probably take place in a bilateral format in Budapest. "It has not been determined yet, but I would say that most likely it will be a bilateral meeting, but we will be in contact with President Zelensky. There are a lot of negative emotions between these two presidents," Trump said. He suggested that the Kremlin could drag out the process, but expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached, stating that after eight agreements he had concluded, he would "make a ninth." Zelenskyy in response stressed that Ukraine is ready for negotiations in any format if it contributes to peace.
The parties paid special attention to the issue of transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Trump confirmed that he was considering the possibility of providing these systems or similar ones to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. He noted that the issue also concerns permission to launch strikes on Russian territory, which, in his opinion, could become a "leverage of influence on Moscow." At the same time, Trump expressed concern about the potential escalation and noted that the United States also needs these missiles for its own security. The American leader separately noted the development of Ukrainian technologies, stating that the United States could buy drones, which "Ukraine makes very good ones."
In turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested considering mutual strengthening of defense cooperation through the exchange of technologies. "The United States has Tomahawk and other missiles, but they can also have our drones. Therefore, we can work together, we can strengthen American production," the president noted.
Trump calls for “stop the war and make a deal” after meeting with Zelensky
After talks with the President of Ukraine, Donald Trump labeled the meeting “very interesting and cordial” and called on the parties to cease hostilities. In his address, he emphasized that he repeated to Zelensky what he had previously told Putin – about the need to end the war.
“I told him – as I have strongly advised President Putin – that it is time to stop the killing and make a deal! Enough blood, enough defining borders through war and bravery. Let both sides stop where they are and declare themselves winners – history will judge,” he said.
The American leader also emphasized that the war, in his opinion, would not have started if he had remained president.
“No more shooting, no more deaths, no more huge and unbearable costs. Thousands of people are dying every week – ENOUGH! RETURN HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES IN PEACE!” Trump wrote.
His statements sparked debate in the United States and abroad, as the proposal to “freeze” the front without resolving the causes of the aggression could mean the de facto preservation of the occupation of part of Ukrainian territories.
Britain proposes to create a “peace plan for Ukraine” modeled on Trump’s initiative for Gaza
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed developing a joint peace plan for Ukraine with Washington, similar to Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip. This was reported by Axios citing sources close to the negotiations. Starmer voiced the initiative during a telephone conversation between President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. The British proposal involves the creation of a multi-stage document that will contain political, humanitarian and security provisions.
According to the source, NATO countries are to join the consultations, in particular with the participation of the Alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte. He proposed holding an additional coordination conversation between the national security advisers of European states as early as the coming weekend. Western diplomats see the initiative as an attempt by London to maintain the unity of partners on the issue of support for Ukraine, while adapting to changes in the position of the Trump administration.
FT: EU plans to use Russian assets to buy US weapons for Ukraine
The European Union is considering the option of directing part of the €140 billion “reparations loan” secured by frozen Russian assets to buy weapons for Ukraine. According to The Financial Times, the proposal was discussed by EU ambassadors on October 17. These are funds from the Russian Central Bank blocked in the Euroclear depository after the start of the full-scale invasion. The majority of the amount is planned to be used to support the defense industry of Ukraine and the EU countries.
According to the European Commission document, priority will be given to European weapons, but in the event of significant US support, cooperation with American manufacturers may be expanded. The initiative appeared after Trump announced a meeting with Putin in Budapest - in Brussels this was seen as a signal to maintain US involvement. The European Commission called on the G7 countries and allies to repeat this mechanism, mobilizing Russian assets in their jurisdictions. The total amount of frozen assets in the EU reaches €211 billion, and together with partners – about €260 billion.
ISW: Russia is trying to get closer to the US and reduce support for Ukraine
The Institute for the Study of War reported, that the Kremlin is pursuing a rhetoric of “double pressure”, combining threats of escalation with offers of economic cooperation. The key mediator is the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, who publishes calls for a “new partnership” with the US on the social network X. Analysts believe that these actions are aimed at establishing contacts with Donald Trump’s team and trying to influence Washington’s policy without involving Ukraine. The Kremlin seeks to create the impression that normalizing bilateral relations may be more beneficial for the US than continuing to support Kyiv.
At the same time, the head of Russian intelligence, Sergei Naryshkin, said that the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would be regarded by Moscow as a “hostile step”. He repeated the accusations against European countries, calling them “war parties.” ISW emphasizes that such statements are part of a typical Kremlin strategy – a combination of blackmail, nuclear innuendo, and “economic temptations.” The goal of these actions is to reduce Western support for Ukraine by manipulating security risks.
Author: Danylo Pievchev