By Emmanuel Ogbonna
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will travel to Washington on October 17 for high-level discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The talks are expected to center on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense systems and securing long-range weaponry, including the potential transfer of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Zelenskyy confirmed on social media that his delegation—led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and joined by senior officials Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umerov—has already departed for the United States. Their itinerary includes meetings with U.S. officials, defense contractors, and members of Congress.
“The main focus of the visit is air defense and our long-range capabilities aimed at exerting pressure on Russia for the sake of peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The visit follows a series of phone calls between Zelenskyy and Trump, during which the Ukrainian president outlined his country’s urgent defense needs. Kyiv has intensified its lobbying for Tomahawk missiles, which can strike targets up to 1,000 miles away, as Russia continues attacks on energy infrastructure and advances along the front lines.
“Some of these things are not for a phone conversation, so we’ll meet,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv.
President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on October 12, confirmed that the missile transfer is under consideration. He suggested the weapons could be sold to NATO allies, who might then supply them to Ukraine.
“They’d like to have Tomahawks. We talked about that. And so we’ll see,” Trump said, adding that he may consult Russian President Vladimir Putin before making a final decision.
Trump described the Tomahawk as an “incredible weapon” and hinted that its deployment could pressure Russia toward peace negotiations. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying such weapons would mark a “new stage of escalation,” though he downplayed their potential battlefield impact.
Beyond military aid, Zelenskyy’s agenda includes meetings with U.S. energy companies to discuss emergency power solutions. With winter approaching and Russian strikes targeting gas facilities and the national grid, Ukraine is exploring electricity imports to maintain stability.
“There are pressing needs linked to various formats of attacks,” Zelenskyy noted. “In any case, we must be prepared.”
The visit also coincides with ongoing negotiations for a defense-industrial partnership between Ukraine and the United States, focusing on joint development of maritime drones and ground robotic systems.
While diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled, Trump has expressed support for Ukraine’s continued resistance and emphasized the importance of avoiding further escalation.
“I’m not looking to see escalation,” Trump said on October 6, urging Putin to pursue a cease-fire and engage in serious peace talks.