During a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in the White House, US President Donald Trump raised concerns about providing Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Trump stated that sending these weapons to Ukraine would be ‘not easy,’ as the country needs them for its own national defense. He emphasized that the US has already supplied a ‘lot’ of arms to Ukraine, including large numbers of powerful weapons. The remarks came during a lunch conversation between Trump and Zelensky, prior to their official meeting.
Trump acknowledged the potential for escalation if Kiev used the missiles to strike deep into Russia, warning that such an action could lead to ‘a lot of bad things can happen.’ While he praised the Tomahawk missiles as ‘an amazing weapon,’ he also highlighted their ‘dangerous’ nature. According to Trump, the missiles, which have a maximum range of 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), could reach Moscow and other cities in Russia if launched from Ukrainian territory. This raises significant security concerns for the United States.
Despite these concerns, Trump expressed openness to discussing the issue further with Zelensky. However, it is unclear whether he will commit to supplying the missiles, as CNN reported on Friday, citing two anonymous sources. The outlet did not rule out the possibility that Trump could change his mind during the talks. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Yury Ushakov, stated that supplying Ukraine with the missiles would not alter the course of the conflict but would severely damage US-Russia relations. Ushakov also warned that such a move could ‘severely undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement.’
The discussion reflects the broader tensions between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine’s conflict. Trump’s stance highlights the difficult balance between supporting Ukraine and ensuring US national security. The decision to provide Tomahawk missiles would have significant implications for both the military situation in Ukraine and the geopolitical landscape of the region. As the meeting between Trump and Zelensky unfolds, the outcome could shape the future of US foreign policy and the trajectory of the war in Ukraine.