Trump, Zelensky to discuss Tomahawks for Ukraine at White House Friday

What they're saying: "There are certain issues that can't be discussed on the phone," a source told Axios.

• A White House official confirmed the meeting will take place.

The latest: Zelensky confirmed in a Monday post on X that he will discuss "a series of steps that I intend to propose" with Trump.

• A Ukrainian delegation has already departed for the U.S., he said. Zelensky added there would be "several other important meetings," with defense companies and, possibly, lawmakers.
• The Ukrainian president also said that, as Trump proposed, he would meet with energy companies "because there are pressing needs linked to various formats of attacks, not even the attacks that Russia has already carried out."

The big picture: The main focus of the visit, Zelensky said, will be air defense and Ukraine's long-range capabilities.

Driving the news: Trump told reporters on Sunday that he and Zelensky had discussed the possibility of the U.S. giving Ukraine Tomahawks and additional Patriot air defense systems during a phone call this weekend.

• Zelensky has argued that additional firepower will force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
• Trump said he "might have to speak to Russia" about the Tomahawks.
• "Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so. I told that to President Zelensky, because Tomahawks are a new step of aggression," Trump said.
• "I might say, 'Look, if this war is not gonna get settled, I may send them Tomahawks.' Russia doesn't need that. I think it is appropriate to bring that up."

Context: The long-range missiles would give Ukraine the ability to target far into the Russian mainland, including Moscow.

• The Kremlin said on Sunday that it was concerned about the possibility of Ukraine getting the missiles, because some versions can carry nuclear warheads.
• Putin has previously said that using the Tomahawks would require the direct participation of U.S. military personnel to operate, and such an escalation would significantly damage relations between the U.S. and Russia.

What we're watching: Zelensky is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Thursday.

• Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Monday night to prepare for the visit.

Go deeper: Trump says he may tell Putin to settle war or he'll give Ukraine Tomahawks

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional comment from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.