During a private meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested the supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles from his American counterpart, Donald Trump. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, Zelensky believes that possessing such advanced weaponry could compel Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table after more than three and a half years of conflict.
After the meeting, Zelensky stated that Trump was open to the request and willing to "work on it," suggesting a potential shift in Washington's military policy towards Kyiv. The Tomahawk missiles, with a range of up to 1,500 miles and a 450-kilogram warhead, represent a significant upgrade from any long-range systems provided by Western allies so far.
Diplomatic sources cited by The Telegraph indicated that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed his European counterparts that Trump's new stance on Ukraine should be seen "in the most positive light possible." Rubio also reportedly conveyed that Trump is "genuinely angry" with Putin for disregarding his efforts to resolve the conflict.
Former President Joe Biden had previously turned down a similar request, deeming the delivery of Tomahawk missiles "too risky" due to their potential to reach Moscow and bypass advanced Russian air defense systems, thereby escalating the conflict.
Currently, several European governments are beginning to relax their positions on supplying long-range weapons to Kyiv. Germany, for instance, has announced joint production of systems on Ukrainian soil. Zelensky emphasized that he has Trump's implicit support to respond with long-range attacks if Moscow escalates its offensives against critical Ukrainian infrastructure.
"If they strike our energy, President Trump supports our right to retaliate against theirs," Zelensky told American media outlets.
Ukrainian military experts like Serhii Kuzan, president of the Center for Security and Cooperation of Ukraine and former advisor to the Ministry of Defense, described the request as a logical step following the deployment of systems like the British Storm Shadow. "If Russia has long-range missiles, Ukraine must have similar capabilities to strike at the same depth," he stated.
Although the delivery of Tomahawks was once considered overly risky due to their ability to reach targets in Moscow and evade Russia's most advanced defense systems, the growing rapport between Trump and Zelensky suggests a potential shift in strategy that could change the balance of power in the war in Eastern Europe.
Key Questions on U.S. Military Support to Ukraine
Why did Zelensky request Tomahawk missiles from Trump?
Zelensky believes that acquiring Tomahawk missiles would pressure Vladimir Putin into peace negotiations and provide Ukraine with a strategic advantage.
What are the capabilities of Tomahawk missiles?
Tomahawk missiles have a range of up to 1,500 miles and carry a 450-kilogram warhead, making them a formidable long-range weapon.
How has the U.S. approach to Ukraine changed under Trump?
Trump has shown willingness to consider providing advanced weaponry to Ukraine, contrasting with Biden's earlier refusal citing escalation risks.