US President Donald Trump said that he was holding a phone conversation with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
The call comes a day before a scheduled meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, as the latter is seeking US Tomahawk missiles, according to Reuters.
On Thursday, Trump confirmed the discussion with Putin. “I am speaking to President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, a lengthy one, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, at its conclusion,” he posted on Truth Social.
As the war escalates between Russia and Ukraine, Zelensky is trying to get more US support, particularly Tomahawk long-range missiles which will enable Ukraine to target Moscow and other Russian cities.
The US President suggested he would speak with Putin and warn him of this move if the Russian leader refused to hold serious peace negotiations.
“I might talk to him, I might say ‘Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.’ I may say that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to the Middle East.
“The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon, and honestly, Russia does not need that,” he added, according to AFP.
On Wednesday, Trump said that Kyiv wants to “go offensive,” noting that they would discuss Ukraine’s request for the missiles.
The Russian President warned the US that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles would shatter relations between Moscow and Washington.
In recent months, Trump has expressed growing frustration with Putin, most notably after their August meeting in Alaska which did not yield any progress.
