Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed optimism that US President Donald Trump will provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, following their meeting in Washington, DC, last week.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy and Trump met at the White House on Friday, a meeting described by the US president as 'very interesting and cordial.' The discussions included crucial topics such as the ongoing battlefield situation in Ukraine, long-range capabilities, and air defense for Kyiv.

In an interview with NBC News that aired on Sunday, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's need for Tomahawk missiles, which would enhance Kyiv's ability to strike deep into Russian territory. Zelenskyy noted that Trump did not explicitly deny the request but also did not confirm it, expressing hope for continued dialogue on the matter.

Zelenskyy addressed concerns about Trump's tone shift after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue for Russia. He suggested that Putin fears the potential delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine and the implications of their use.

Earlier in the month, Trump indicated he was nearing a decision on the missile delivery, a request made by Zelenskyy during a meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Putin has warned that sending Tomahawks to Ukraine could severely damage US-Russian relations and escalate tensions to a new level.