Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has requested Tomahawk missiles from President Donald Trump, who indicated he might agree to sell these long-range weapons if Russia refuses to halt its military actions.
While flying aboard Air Force One during a recent visit to Israel, Trump confirmed that the U.S. is considering the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
The president noted that these precision-strike weapons could potentially target Moscow and many Western military bases in Russia that have been involved in airstrikes against Ukraine. He characterized such a move as a significant escalation, referring to it as “a new phase of aggression.”
Trump also mentioned that he might contact President Putin to discuss the Tomahawk missile, providing Russia an opportunity to de-escalate before any sale of the weapon takes place.
Reflecting on recent peace agreements, Trump expressed that perseverance is key to resolving conflicts, lamenting the loss of life on both sides. He stated, “Every week they’re losing 5,000 to 7,000 soldiers. That’s ridiculous.”
He conveyed his willingness to sell weapons to NATO allies in Europe, suggesting that these allies could then transfer those weapons to Ukraine as needed. “They need more weapons, and we’re looking at it,” Trump said, adding a note of caution about balancing U.S. weapon supplies.
During a phone call with Zelenskiy, Trump acknowledged Ukraine’s urgent need for Patriot air defense missiles but also expressed interest in the Tomahawk missiles. He noted it could be a forward step, commenting, “We may have to talk to Russia about the Tomahawk, but do they want it pointed their way? I don’t think so.”
He conveyed to Zelenskiy that discussing the Tomahawk was necessary, labeling it as a new phase of aggression.
Trump metaphorically described a potential call with Putin, suggesting he might say, “If this war doesn’t get resolved, I’m going to send them a Tomahawk.” He reiterated how effective the Tomahawk is and hinted at the consequences if the war remains unresolved.
Discussions surrounding the Tomahawk missiles have been ongoing, with both Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance hinting at the possibility of a sale. This has drawn strong reactions from the Kremlin, which opposes Ukraine acquiring such capabilities, toggling between issuing warnings and dismissive statements.
Last week, Russia cautioned the United States against providing these weapons, emphasizing that doing so would lead to significant changes in the situation. Claims were made that launching these missiles could have dire implications, and they urged the U.S. to fully consider the consequences.
A spokesperson from Russia’s foreign ministry echoed these warnings, indicating that if Ukraine were to obtain Tomahawk missiles, the conflict could worsen significantly. They called for extreme caution regarding this sensitive issue, urging the U.S. to heed their stance.
This dire warning was further coupled with rhetoric dismissing the Tomahawk’s threat, with Russian lawmakers asserting that they could easily intercept such missiles.
