WASHINGTON/MOSCOW - US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, but ruled out a US-Russia-Ukraine summit in the near future.

Speaking alongside Zelensky before their talks, Trump said his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary would be only a "double meeting", citing "a lot of bad blood" between Moscow and Kyiv.

Asked about providing US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, a focal point of Washington's tactics on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump said the United States also needs the weapons itself, warning that transferring them to Ukraine could trigger "big escalation" of the conflict.

"We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks. Would much rather have the war be over," Trump said.

"We want Tomahawks also. We don't want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he added.

When asked whether Ukraine would need to trade land for peace, Trump replied: "You never know."

Zelensky said there is momentum to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict following the Gaza ceasefire, but he accused Moscow of refusing to return to negotiations and urged Washington to keep pressure on Russia.

"President Trump has a big chance now to finish this war," said Zelensky, stressing that having security guarantees is the "most important thing for people in Ukraine".

"NATO is the best, but weapon is very important. Allies on our side is very important," Zelensky said.

He added that American energy companies are ready to help Ukraine following recent Russian attacks on his country's energy infrastructure.

It was Zelensky's third visit to the White House during Trump's second term. The meeting came one day after Trump's lengthy phone call with Putin.

Shortly after meeting with Zelensky, Trump said on Truth Social that he "strongly suggested" Russia and Ukraine make a deal and stop the conflict lasting more than three and a half years.

"It is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!" Trump said. "Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts."

"They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!" he said.

Kremlin: Putin, Trump might meet in Budapest in two weeks

Also on Friday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin might meet with Trump in Budapest, Hungary within two weeks or a little later.

Commenting on a possible Russia-US summit, Peskov said there is a "shared understanding that nothing should be put off". He said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will start working on the issue, and the summit will be organized in stages.

Trump said Thursday that he will meet with Putin in Budapest for talks, following a phone conversation between the two leaders.

According to the Kremlin, the two leaders discussed possible Tomahawk missile deliveries to Ukraine during their phone call. 

ALSO READ: Kremlin says Russia ready for settlement in Ukraine, blames Europe, Kyiv for reluctance

Trump and Putin last met in August in Alaska for talks on Ukraine, but no agreement was reached, and ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked.

Western media monopoly, restrictions slammed

Separately, Putin accused leading Western media outlets of exploiting their dominant position to distribute content at their own discretion and often under the guise of objective reporting.

Speaking at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the RT international television channel, Putin said modern propaganda in the West differs little from former "Soviet-era cliches".

"Any monopoly inevitably comes to an end sooner or later, no matter how much those who maintain it pay to preserve it," he said.

The broadcaster has faced restrictions in several Western countries, where regulators and governments have accused it of disseminating disinformation and serving as a Russian state propaganda tool. The channel has rejected the allegations, saying that it provides an "alternative and truthful point of view" to Western media narratives. 

Three killed in Ukrainian strikes on Kherson region

Meanwhile, three people were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the Kherson region, local authorities said on Friday.

Two adults and a 10-year-old child were killed during intense shellings of a residential area in the city of Oleshky, said Vladimir Saldo, head of the Kherson region.

The strikes also damaged a building, led to a fire at a gas station and power disruptions in 23 settlements in the region, affecting around 16,500 people, he added.