Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Western allies not to appease Russia after returning from Washington empty-handed, following renewed pleas for long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Zelenskyy’s visit to the US came amid mounting pressure on Kyiv to regain battlefield momentum before winter, but the trip ended without agreement on the advanced weaponry he had sought for months.
The Ukrainian leader had hoped to capitalise on what diplomats described as Donald Trump’s growing frustration with Vladimir Putin after their recent Alaska summit failed to deliver progress in ending the conflict.
However, Zelenskyy left Washington without a deal, as the White House shifted focus toward Trump’s renewed diplomatic initiative following last week’s Gaza peace agreement.
“Ukraine will never grant terrorists any bounty for their crimes, and we count on our partners to uphold this very position,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media after his return to Kyiv.
He called for “decisive steps” from both European and American allies, urging leaders to convene a new meeting of the Europe-led “coalition of the willing” to reinforce support for Ukraine’s defence.
Trump, meanwhile, struck a more optimistic tone about future talks with Moscow. After speaking with Putin by phone on Thursday, the US president confirmed plans for an in-person meeting in Budapest.
Following his face-to-face talks with Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump described their discussion as “very interesting and cordial.”
“I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing and make a DEAL,” Trump posted on social media.
Despite talk of renewed diplomacy, Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, targeting power and heating facilities ahead of the harsh winter months.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched “more than 3,270 attack drones, 1,370 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 50 missiles of various types” against Ukrainian territory in the past week alone.
Local authorities reported two deaths and more than a dozen injuries on Sunday as Russian forces shelled several eastern regions.
Ukraine has responded with increased drone and missile strikes on targets inside Russia, including energy and transport infrastructure in western border areas and attacks on oil and gas facilities deep inside Russian territory.
Western officials privately expressed concern that Kyiv’s escalating counterstrikes could complicate fragile diplomatic overtures, even as they reaffirmed Ukraine’s right to self-defence under international law.
Zelenskyy’s comments on appeasement appeared aimed at warning Western capitals against softening their stance toward Moscow as political divisions widen in Washington and Europe over continued aid.
“We have no right to grow tired,” he said in a statement broadcast by Ukrainian media. “Every delay, every hesitation costs lives and gives the enemy more ground.”
Analysts say the failure to secure long-range missile systems marks a strategic setback for Kyiv, which has sought such weapons to strike Russian logistics and command centres far from the front lines.
In Washington, Trump aides said discussions on additional weapons transfers would continue, but stressed that any new decisions would be tied to progress in “broader peace talks.”
European leaders are expected to meet next week to coordinate military and humanitarian support as fears grow that energy shortages and war fatigue could weaken the coalition’s resolve.
Zelenskyy, however, insisted Ukraine’s position remained unchanged: “No talks, no concessions, no deals with terrorists.”
M10News International Desk | Contact: international@m10news.com
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