Overview

• The White House confirmed a Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky focused on air defense and long‑range capabilities.
• Zelensky says he will press for advanced systems and discuss a possible sequence of steps toward a ceasefire during the Washington talks.
• Trump has publicly said he is considering providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized the president has the final say.
• The Kremlin welcomed a U.S. push for negotiations but warned that supplying Tomahawks would be viewed as an escalatory move and direct involvement.
• Russian strikes hit Kharkiv in recent days, damaging a hospital and injuring seven, while Moscow claimed gains near Donetsk that Ukraine has not confirmed.