Crystal Dike
The United States President Donald Trump has said he is considering sending Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine — a move that could mark a new phase in Kyiv’s war with Russia.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said: “We’ll see… I may,” when asked whether he would approve the transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine.
The comments came after a second phone call over the weekend between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been urging Washington to bolster Kyiv’s military capabilities for counter-attacks against Russian forces.
Moscow has repeatedly warned the United States against supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine, saying such a move would amount to a major escalation and further damage US-Russia relations.
Tomahawk missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometres (1,500 miles), putting Moscow and other key Russian cities within reach of Ukrainian forces.
Trump said he may discuss the issue directly with Russia, adding: “I might tell them that if the war is not settled, we may very well — we may not, but we may — do it. Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.”
Ukraine has repeatedly requested long-range strike capabilities to hit Russian positions far from the front lines. Both leaders also discussed Kyiv’s need to strengthen its air defences amid continued Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
Last month, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested the president had already authorised limited strikes deep inside Russian territory, saying on Fox News that “there are no such things as sanctuaries” in the conflict.
Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has downplayed the potential impact of Tomahawk missiles. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said last month: “Whether it’s Tomahawks or other missiles, they won’t be able to change the dynamic.”