On 17th October 2025, A surprise phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have cooled U.S. momentum to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles—something Kyiv had prioritized to weaken Russian strategic depth.
The call was described by both sides as “Productive” and focused on “de-escalation measures” and “strategic stability”, while Kyiv continues to be anxious and worried about these un claims.
Even though the Pentagon officials previously supported the idea under certain safeguards, the White House’s post-call shift effectively pauses the plan. On the other hand the reaction by NATO remains unchanged as it expresses concerns that Trump’s diplomacy could weaken Western unity.
While the missile transfer agreement was in the process of completion, this TrumpPutin phone call was followed by immediate reaction in Kyiv, Brussels and Warsaw.
One big reason for not supplying these missiles to Ukraine is that Trump’s recalibration signalled a return “direct great-power diplomacy”, In an official release by the White House National Security Conversation says “The President readmitted America’s commitment to peace and mutual security discussions”.
After the recent US-Russia Talks, Kremlin media hailed the call as proof that “Washington now recognises the futility of arming Kyiv for escalation” and military analysts are expecting Moscow to use diplomatic opening to push for a limited ceasefire zone east of the Dnipro.
In essence Trump appears to favour personal diplomacy with Putin over confrontation, and NATO’s collective approach. Seeing these dynamics many people also see the US diverting to transactional diplomacy undermining long-term defence.
Looking at the future from where it stands today, analysts have argued that Zelesky will raise the issue directly at the Brussels defence coordination summit next week. On the other hand the US and Russian teams may also hold up security talk potentially signaling the in broader relation. Lastly, Ukraine’s already vulnerable condition posture may weaken if western long-range missiles are not provided to them, and that situation can be certainly exploited by Moscow in spite of territorial expansions.
