On Sunday, US President Donald Trump suggested he might supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t halt the conflict in Ukraine.
While traveling to Israel on Air Force One, Trump mentioned his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Ukraine’s request for arms, including Tomahawks. Their phone conversations took place on Saturday and Sunday.
Tomahawk missiles, with a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), could reach deep into Russia, even Moscow. The Kremlin has cautioned against providing Tomahawks to Ukraine, and Trump remarked they could represent “a new step of aggression” if used in the conflict.
Rather than direct sales to Ukraine, the US would channel missiles through NATO, which could then transfer them to Ukraine, Trump explained. “Yes, I might tell him (Putin), if the war isn’t resolved, we might do it,” he stated. “We might not, but we might. … Do they want Tomahawks heading their way? I don’t think so.”
Zelensky assured that Ukraine would target only military objectives, not civilians, in Russia if the US supplied Tomahawks.
“We’ve never targeted their civilians. That’s the major distinction between Ukraine and Russia,” Zelensky stated on the Fox News “Sunday Briefing.” “Hence, our focus on military targets when discussing long-range missiles.”
Zelensky’s remarks, recorded on Saturday, were broadcast on Sunday after his consecutive discussions with President Trump. He noted they were still negotiating the potential US provision of long-range missiles to Kyiv.
Trump previously indicated that he wanted clarity on Ukraine’s intended use of Tomahawks to avoid worsening the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelensky continues efforts to persuade Trump to approve the missile deal.
“We hope for such decisions, but we’ll see,” Zelensky commented.
Putin recently stated that Tomahawks require direct US military involvement, so their supply to Ukraine would mark a “new escalation stage.”
Nonetheless, in a Sunday evening address, Zelensky viewed Russia’s apprehensions as motivation to proceed.
“Russia’s fear of potential Tomahawk provision by the US suggests that this pressure might advance peace,” Zelensky remarked.
The Ukraine war remains Europe’s deadliest since World War II, with Russian officials claiming it marks a “hot” conflict with the West. Putin frames it as a pivotal moment in Moscow-West relations, alleging that post-Soviet Union NATO expansion infringes on Moscow’s influence, encompassing Ukraine and Georgia.
Ukraine and allies portray it as an imperial land grab, pledging to defeat Russian forces.
