Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

President Donald Trump has ruled out providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles (for now) following a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: A few weeks back, President Trump indicated that he may move forward with supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, but stressed that any decision would depend on assurances about how the weapons would be used. He stated that he wants to be certain the missiles would target only military assets and not escalate the war further. Tomahawk cruise missiles can travel up to 1,550 miles, a range that would allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory, including Moscow. In response, the Kremlin has warned that such a move would represent an unprecedented escalation, with Russian officials describing it as a “new stage” of the war. Prior to Trump returning to office, President Putin said that providing long-range weapons to Ukraine would put the providers of those countries at direct war with Russia, arguing that those providing nations would have to share targeting information.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, President Trump has now shot down the idea of sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, saying the US “needs them” for its own defense and warning that their deployment could lead to a dangerous escalation with Russia. Speaking after a bilateral meeting with Zelensky, Trump reiterated his preference for a diplomatic solution to the war, saying he wanted both sides to “stop where they are” and freeze the conflict along current battle lines. He framed this proposal as a way to halt the bloodshed, saying, “Let both claim victory, let history decide,” and added that continuing to push the front line further would only prolong a war that “needs to end now.”

Trump reportedly pressed Zelensky to consider the ceasefire proposal seriously, reiterating that further military escalation, particularly with long-range US weapons, could damage ongoing peace efforts. Trump also informed Zelensky of his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and an upcoming in-person meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest, suggesting that diplomacy was gaining momentum and urging Ukraine not to disrupt it.

This all comes as Trump’s sudden pivot (from previously expressing openness to sending the weapons to now rejecting the idea) has raised alarms among European allies. Some are concerned that Trump’s position now to freeze the war at its current front lines would effectively legitimize Russian territorial gains.