US President Donald Trump is considering sending Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, saying it would provide a new step of aggression in its war with Russia.
When asked on Air Force One if he would send Tomahawks to Ukraine, Trump replied we'll see... I may.
This announcement follows a second phone call at the weekend between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who pushed for stronger military capabilities to launch counter-attacks against Russia.
Moscow has previously warned Washington against providing long-range missiles to Kyiv, saying it would cause a major escalation in the conflict and strain US-Russian relations.
Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles), which would put Moscow within reach for Ukraine.
Trump mentioned that he might communicate with Russia regarding the possible missile transfers requested by Ukraine, stating, I might tell them that if the war is not settled, that we may very well, we may not, but we may do it. He added, Do they [Russia] want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so.
Ukraine has made multiple requests for long-range missiles, weighing up striking Russian cities far from the front lines of the ongoing conflict.
As discussed in their recent phone calls, Zelensky and Trump focused on strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities, including enhancing its air defenses and long-range armaments.
Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, have been subjected to heavy Russian bombardments with drones and missiles, with particular targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure causing extensive power interruptions.
Last month, Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested the US President had authorized potential strikes deep into Russian territory, declaring there are no such things as sanctuaries in the current conflict.
Despite these developments, the Kremlin downplayed the potential impact of deploying Tomahawks, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that such actions won't be able to change the dynamic of the ongoing war.