Washington: US President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is considering sending Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, a move that could mark a significant escalation in the ongoing war with Russia. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump said, “We’ll see… I may,” when asked if he would approve the shipment of the missiles requested by Kyiv.
The announcement follows a second weekend phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Zelensky pressed for enhanced military capabilities to launch counter-offensives against Russian forces. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly requested long-range weapons, including Tomahawks, which can strike targets up to 2,500 kilometers away, potentially putting Moscow within reach.
Trump suggested he might communicate with Russia regarding the potential missile deployment, stating, “I might tell them [Russia] 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,” signaling the administration’s awareness of the high-stakes nature of the decision.
The prospect of sending long-range missiles to Kyiv has drawn sharp warnings from Moscow. Russian officials have cautioned Washington that such a move would constitute a “major escalation,” threatening to further strain US-Russian relations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the potential impact of the weapons, asserting last month that “whether it’s Tomahawks or other missiles, they won’t be able to change the dynamic” of the conflict.
Ukraine has faced relentless Russian attacks, particularly targeting its energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages. Cities including Kyiv have endured repeated drone and missile bombardments, prompting Kyiv to push for weapons capable of reaching deep into Russian territory. Last month, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested that the US president had authorized potential strikes into Russian territory, remarking, “there are no such things as sanctuaries” in the war.
The potential deployment of Tomahawk missiles underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and highlights the delicate balancing act faced by Washington. Any decision to supply long-range strike capabilities to Ukraine risks provoking a strong response from Moscow while simultaneously bolstering Kyiv’s ability to target Russian positions far from the front lines.
This development signals that the US remains a central player in the evolving conflict, weighing both strategic support for Ukraine and the risk of escalating a war that has already reshaped global security dynamics.