Trump says Ukraine may obtain Tomahawk missiles for use against Russia

US President Donald Trump is considering sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, saying it would constitute a “new aggressive step” in its war with Russia.

When asked aboard Air Force One whether he would send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Trump replied, “We’ll see… maybe.”

This comes after a second phone call over the weekend between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called for strengthening military capabilities to launch counterattacks against Russia.

Moscow had previously warned Washington against providing long-range missiles to Kiev, saying that this would cause a major escalation in the conflict and lead to tension in US-Russian relations.

The Tomahawk missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles), which would put Moscow within reach of Ukraine.

Trump spoke to reporters while heading to Israel. He said he would likely talk to Russia about the Tomahawk missiles requested by Ukraine.

“I may tell them (Russia) that if the war is not settled, we may not do it, but we may do it,” he added.

“Do they (Russia) want Tomahawk missiles heading in their direction? I don’t think so,” the president said.

Kiev has placed multiple requests for long-range missiles, as it considers striking Russian cities far from the front lines of the grinding conflict.

In their phone call, Zelensky and Trump discussed Ukraine’s attempt to bolster its military capabilities, including strengthening its air defenses and long-range weapons.

Ukrainian cities, including Kiev, have been subjected to repeated intense Russian bombing with drones and missiles. Russia has particularly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing power outages.

Last month, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg indicated that the US President authorized the strikes He told Fox News that “there are no safe havens” from attacks in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, downplayed the chances of Tomahawk changing the course of the war.

“Whether it is Tomahawk missiles or other missiles, they will not be able to change the dynamic,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last month.