Mon Oct 20 21:17:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy describes his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as “positive,” despite failing to secure Tomahawk missiles. Zelenskyy suggests Trump’s reluctance stems from a desire to avoid escalating tensions with Russia ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary. Zelenskyy is cautiously optimistic about potential progress towards peace, particularly due to Trump’s perceived ambition to resolve the conflict. Despite some differences, Zelenskyy expressed interest in the US investment towards bilateral gas projects, which include the construction of an LNG terminal in Odesa, also seeking aid in obtaining Patriot air defense systems.

News Article:

The Hindu: Trump’s Ukraine Stance Shifts, Zelenskyy Remains Optimistic Despite Missile Setback

Kyiv, October 21, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized his meeting last week with U.S. President Donald Trump as “positive,” even as he acknowledged the failure to secure the long-sought Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The meeting took place amidst reports of pressure on Zelenskyy to concede to Russian demands.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Zelenskyy indicated that Trump appeared to change his position on providing the missiles after a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin just hours before their face-to-face meeting. Trump, during the meeting, reportedly urged both Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are,” effectively freezing the conflict along the current front lines.

“In my opinion, he does not want an escalation with the Russians until he meets with them,” Zelenskyy stated. He also revealed that Trump relayed Putin’s continued demand for Ukraine to cede the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s counter-proposal to trade territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia for Donetsk and Luhansk.

Despite the setback on missiles and lingering territorial disputes, Zelenskyy remained cautiously optimistic. “We share President Trump’s positive outlook if it leads to the end of the war,” he said. He also expressed hope that Trump’s upcoming summit with Putin in Hungary, a country not supportive of Ukraine, could pave the way for a lasting peace agreement. Zelenskyy was careful to note, however, that he doesn’t expect Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to provide any assistance to the current conflict.

Trump himself added fuel to the fire with the statement that Ukraine “could still win the war”.

Beyond the immediate conflict, Zelenskyy highlighted potential areas for U.S.-Ukraine cooperation, including bilateral gas projects and the construction of an LNG terminal in Odesa. He also discussed the urgent need for Ukraine to acquire Patriot air defense systems, hoping for US assistance in expediting the procurement process, potentially through European partners.

While uncertainties remain, Zelenskyy believes all parties have “moved closer” to a possible end to the war. “That doesn’t mean it will definitely end, but President Trump has achieved a lot in the Middle East, and riding that wave he wants to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” he said.

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