Behind the scenes: In an interview on Wednesday night, Yermak told Axios that Trump invited Zelensky to the White House as a result of two phone calls they held a week ago.
He added that Zelensky told Trump he’s still ready to meet with Putin in any format and in any place in the world, other than in Russia or Belarus.
“We can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks,” Zelensky said on Thursday.
He said Putin told Trump the Tomahawks wouldn’t change the situation on the battlefield, but would harm U.S.-Russian relations and the peace process.
The bottom line: During their phone calls last week, Zelensky told Trump that the deal to end the war in Gaza gives him hope for a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
During his Friday meeting with President Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes that the United States will make clear decisions. S. Additionally, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, told Axios in an interview about the weapons systems it is willing to supply.
“I believe that in order to change Putin’s perception that he is in a strong position, we need to make decisions. He must realize that playing games with President Trump is not an option,” Yermak stated.
The significance of this is that Zelensky, who landed in Washington Thursday afternoon, has been extremely upbeat in recent days regarding his scheduled meeting with Trump and the president’s readiness to provide long-range Tomahawk missiles.
The Ukrainian president and his team, however, were taken aback when Trump announced shortly after his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base that he had spoken with Vladimir Putin and had agreed to meet with him in Hungary, the EU member state that is least friendly to Ukraine.
Behind the scenes: Yermak told Axios in an interview Wednesday night that Trump invited Zelensky to the White House after they spoke over the phone twice a week prior.
“Both calls were excellent. The presidents have mutual understanding. They got right into a very specific conversation. They agreed to meet so quickly, which shows that we are partners and friends,” Yermak said.
Even though both calls were made on a secure line, Yermak continued, the two leaders wanted to talk about delicate topics that are best discussed face-to-face.
Numerous inquiries cannot be addressed over the phone. similar to what is happening on the front lines. Yermak stated, “For example, our [military] plans and how we and the American side see the next steps for the peace process.”.
He went on to say that Zelensky informed Trump that he is still open to meeting with Putin in any setting and anywhere outside of Russia or Belarus. Putin has consistently turned down such a gathering.
Zoom in: The expansion of the United States’ weaponry is a major topic Zelensky wants to discuss with Trump. A. will consent to being sold.
Tomahawk missiles are Ukraine’s top priority. Kyiv is still awaiting a ruling, and according to Yermak, “such kind of weapons can be game changer.”.
He emphasized that Ukraine must use the missiles to strike missile and drone factories located deep within Russian territory.
But he also said Ukraine wants several other weapons systems that require U. S. . consent. “A U is necessary. S. . political decision that will allow us to purchase any weapons we require without any limitations,” Yermak stated.
He admitted that the plan for NATO nations to purchase U.S. equipment had been delayed. S. especially in the area of air defense systems, to transfer them to Ukraine.
Yes, but: It’s unclear how many missiles the U.S. will provide Ukraine with even if Trump agrees to supply Tomahawks. S. . can spare from its own resources. The “Typhon” systems that Ukraine needs to launch the Tomahawks are also scarce.
U. S. Additionally, Ukrainian military analysts believe that the U. S. . is more likely to supply outdated Tomahawk models that Russian air defenses could intercept.
Zelensky has countered that the mere possession of the missiles would be a potent negotiating chip with Putin, who will have to deal with the perception that Ukraine can reach Moscow.
As soon as Moscow learns about Tomahawks, “we can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue,” Zelensky stated on Thursday.
On the other hand, Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin brought up Tomahawks during his Thursday call with Trump.
According to him, Putin assured Trump that the Tomahawks would hurt the United States but not alter the battlefield. A. -The peace process and Russia.
In the upcoming week, Ukraine hopes the European Union will decide to use over $100 billion in frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s purchases of weapons from the United States. S. . defense firms, according to Yermak.
“We require additional air defense. To begin with, Patriot systems. Yermak stated, “We also talked about other weapons, but I would rather not bring them up.
Zelensky is anticipated to meet with executives from U.S. military departments and defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed-Martin while in Washington. S. energy providers.
He declared, “We are working to ensure Ukraine’s resilience as Russia is betting on terror against our energy sector and carrying out daily strikes.”.
In summary: Zelensky informed Trump over the phone last week that he is hopeful that a deal to end the war in Gaza will also end the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky even told Trump, according to Yermak, that he would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of all Ukrainians if he could bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“Trump’s leadership in the free world and his ability to put an end to the war in Ukraine were both proven by the agreement in Gaza. “The events in the White House on Friday will be watched by millions of Ukrainians and people throughout Europe,” Yermak stated.
