ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — On Sunday, President Donald Trump issued a warning to Russia regarding the potential deployment of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Moscow fails to resolve its ongoing conflict promptly. While speaking to reporters during a flight to Israel, he remarked, If this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks. Trump emphasized the Tomahawk's capabilities as a potent weapon that the Russian government, in his view, should take seriously.
Trump's comments follow a recent phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which they discussed various aspects of Ukraine's defense, including the potential for long-range missile support. Trump stated, Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so... Tomahawks are a new step of aggression, suggesting that Russia should reconsider its strategy in Ukraine to avoid further escalation.
His statements come in the context of intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid, which are part of a broader strategy to cripple Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. In response, Moscow has expressed serious concerns about the potential provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, highlighting the fragility of U.S.-Russia relations.
Zelenskyy, after their discussion, described the call as very productive, pinpointing talks about enhancing Ukraine's air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities. Trump’s recent remarks indicate a notable shift toward a tougher stance against Russia, compared to his previous calls for concessions from Ukraine.
While Trump acknowledges the potential of Ukraine reclaiming territory lost to Russia, he remains cautious about sending Tomahawks, which could provide Ukraine with the capability to strike deep into Russian territory, putting pressure on Putin to engage seriously in peace negotiations. Trump stated, I really think Putin would look great if he got this settled,” implying that a resolution would be beneficial for all parties involved.