Trump hints at Tomahawk shipment to Kyiv if war isn’t ‘settled’ soon

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Trump hints at Tomahawk shipment to Kyiv if war isn’t ‘settled’ soon

President Donald Trump is warning that he may provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles if Russia does not “settle” the war soon. Trump discussed the potential escalation of U.S. aid while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, according to The Associated Press.

“I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,'” Trump said. He described the missiles as “an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon” and said that “Tomahawks are a new step of aggression.”

Trump said he discussed the possibility with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and “might speak to Russia about that.”

However, he said, “We may not, but we may do it.”

Russia’s response

Moscow has warned that such deliveries would signal a major escalation and could strain U.S.-Russia relations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the Tomahawk topic an “extreme concern” on Sunday.

“Now is really a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides,” Peskov said.

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Since 1991, U.S. forces have fired more than 2,300 Tomahawks in combat; a Block V missile unit costs about $2.404 million.

If Ukraine deploys the missiles, “it’s impossible to distinguish a nuclear Tomahawk from a conventional one in flight,” former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wrote on social media.

“The delivery of these missiles could end badly for everyone,” Medvedev wrote. “And most of all, for Trump himself. One can only hope that this is another empty threat, prompted by protracted negotiations with a cocaine-addled clown.”

How Kyiv is approaching the request

Zelenskyy described his weekend call with Trump as “very productive,” saying that they discussed strengthening Ukraine’s “air defense, resilience and long-range capabilities,” and “details related to the energy sector.”

Asked on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing” whether Tomahawks were approved, he said, “We work on it,” and, “I’m waiting for [the] president to [say] yes.”

Context on the battlefield and US posture

Trump’s comments followed Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid and come as he has taken a tougher stance toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin after failed efforts to spur direct talks with Zelenskyy, the AP reported.

Trump said last month that Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia. However, he has so far resisted approving shipments of Tomahawks.

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile

Tomahawks would give Kyiv the ability to strike targets deep inside Russia. The missiles have a range of about 1,500 miles and are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds of 550 mph. Tomahawks have been used in combat since 1991. More than 2,300 have been fired worldwide, according to the Naval Air Systems Command.

Flown Tomahawk cruise missile test vehicle; designed for launch from submerged submarines and surface vessels. White, torpedo shaped, w/horizontal bright orange/red stripes on both sides & cobalt blue stripe in middle looped around both sides. white lettering against blue stripe. retractable wings, rear fins.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Air and Space Museum Original Photography, NASM Acc. No. 2012-0026

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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief

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