US President Donald Trump has stated that he might send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if the war is not resolved, acknowledging that it would constitute a new step of aggression towards Russia. He suggested discussing the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that Ukraine would like to have the weapons. Meanwhile, Russian officials claim that Ukrainian forces would require direct American military involvement to operate the sophisticated systems, and Moscow is preparing to strengthen its air defenses in response.
Trump recently claimed he had made a decision on whether Ukraine would receive Tom, but that he needed to “ask the question where are they sending them.” Tomahawks cost an estimated $1.3 million each and have a range of 2,500km (1,550 miles), meaning that they could potentially reach Moscow and far beyond.
Commenting on the prospects of the US-made missiles being supplied to Ukraine, Putin said Moscow’s response would be the strengthening of the Russian Federation’s air defenses. He has also argued that Ukrainian forces would be unable to operate such a sophisticated system without the “direct participation of American military personnel.”
Reuters, citing anonymous sources, has reported that the US is unlikely to supply Tomahawks to Ukraine as its current inventories are committed to the US Navy and other uses. The Financial Times also reported that some of Trump’s inner circle are skeptical as to the Tomahawks’ ability to change battlefield dynamics in the conflict.
Puerto has repeatedly stated that Moscow is ready to reach a negotiated peace in the conflict with Kiev, but that its “root causes” must first be addressed, including the rights of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine, Ukrainian denazification, and an end to Kiev’s ambitions of joining NATO. Russia also insists that Ukraine must recognize the new territorial realities on the ground. Russian officials have said neither Kiev nor its European backers appear to be genuinely interested in peace and are actively trying to prolong the conflict.