Trump Hints at Arming Ukraine with Tomahawk Missiles in New Escalation Threat

President Donald Trump, en route to the Middle East, floated the possibility that the United States might supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles if Russia fails to bring the war to a negotiated halt.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he “might” warn Moscow that failing to settle would trigger U.S. delivery of such weapons.

He described the Tomahawk as “an incredible weapon, a very offensive weapon,” and added that he may even consult Russian President Vladimir Putin before finalizing a decision.

Trump’s remarks came after his recent conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which they discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, resilience, and long-range strike capabilities.

Zelenskyy later confirmed that he and Trump spoke about potentially supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks and other advanced systems, contingent on U.S. approval and oversight. He stressed that any such missiles would be used against military targets only, not civilians.
The proposal triggered sharp reactions from Moscow.

The Kremlin voiced “extreme concern,” warning that deployment of Tomahawks could escalate tensions dangerously. Russian officials, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, cautioned that once a Tomahawk is in flight, it is difficult to distinguish whether it carries a conventional or nuclear payload, a scenario Medvedev warned could provoke severe retaliation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that supplying such missiles to Ukraine would represent a “completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation” and might destroy U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations.
Analysts note that practical hurdles could constrain Trump’s plan.

U.S. Tomahawk stocks are heavily allocated to the Navy and existing military obligations. Supplying these missiles to Ukraine may require reassigning inventory or routing transfers through NATO partners. Some reports suggest that rather than deliver missiles directly, the U.S. could facilitate or authorize NATO allies to supply similar long-range systems to Kyiv.

In Kyiv, Ukrainian officials expressed cautious optimism. They view the acquisition of Tomahawks as a significant force multiplier, enabling strikes deeper into Russian-held territory.

Still, they acknowledge that procurement, training, command protocols, and strategic limits will require careful negotiations. A senior Ukrainian delegation is expected to visit Washington soon to discuss technical, legal, and strategic parameters for any such transfer.

As this develops, all sides appear to be bracing for heightened stakes. Trump’s warning signals a potential shift toward more assertive U.S. engagement, even as Moscow and Kyiv prepare for the implications.

Whether the threat materializes into actual missile deliveries or serves as a bargaining lever in diplomacy remains unclear, but the possibility has already rattled the strategic landscape.

Sources: Reuters, AP News, The Guardian