Trump Threatens to Send Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine if Putin Doesn’t End Invasion

President Donald Trump has indicated he may supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not halt his invasion, escalating the stakes in the ongoing conflict.

Trump revealed the possibility while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One yesterday, stating, “I might talk to him [Putin]. I might say, ‘look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.’” The discussion followed a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, during which Zelenskyy requested the advanced weaponry. Putin has previously warned that providing such missiles would be a major escalation. This potential shift in US policy comes as Ukraine faces renewed attacks on its critical infrastructure.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the conversations, telling Fox News, “We work on it… And I’m waiting for president to yes. Of course we count on such decisions, but we will see.” He also stated he was in talks about receiving ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, and called for tighter secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil, arguing they are financing the war. Russia expressed “extreme concern” over the potential supply of Tomahawks, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the situation “a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides.” For more on the geopolitical implications of the conflict, see analysis from the Council on Foreign Relations.

Meanwhile, Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, targeting substations in the Kyiv, Donetsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions, wounding two energy workers. Zelenskyy reported over 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and 1,360 glide bombs were launched in the past week, as Ukrainian forces continue a counteroffensive making gains in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. The targeting of energy infrastructure aims to cripple Ukraine before winter, potentially leaving millions without power. You can find more information about Ukraine’s energy situation here.

A senior Ukrainian delegation is scheduled to visit the US this week, and officials say further discussions on military aid and sanctions are expected.