U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he may provide long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Russia doesn’t settle the ongoing war soon, using the potential weapon supply as a key leverage point against Moscow.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Israel and Egypt, Trump stated, “I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.'”
He described the Tomahawk as an “incredible weapon, very offensive weapon” that Russia does not need, suggesting the prospect of its introduction could pressure President Vladimir Putin.
The warning followed a “very productive” phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had requested the Tomahawk missiles as part of discussions to strengthen Ukraine’s long-range capabilities and air defense. Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of up to 2,500 km (1,550 miles) depending on the variant, would allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.
Trump acknowledged this as “a new step of aggression,” saying he didn’t think Russia would want “Tomahawks going in that direction.”
Moscow has repeatedly warned against supplying Tomahawks, with Putin having previously said it would “seriously damage” U.S.-Russia relations and trigger a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.”
Trump stressed that a settlement would be beneficial for Putin, saying, “I really think Mr. Putin would look great if he got this settled, and it’s not going to be good for him if not.”