US Considers Supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk Missiles Amid Warnings from Russia
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have been discussing the possibility of the US supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, a move that has sparked stark warnings from Russia.
Background and Context
In discussions involving strengthening Kyiv's air defense, Zelensky has signaled his need for missiles, with potential funding sources reportedly being NATO's PURL program, a Mega Deal
with the US, and frozen Russian assets, as stated by Ukrinform. Meanwhile, according to Fox News, Trump has raised the possibility of supplying Ukraine with these very offensive
weapons if the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains unresolved.
Developments and Details
This potential arms deal has stirred warnings from Russia. As reported by TASS and Fox News, Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, warned that the delivery of Tomahawks could end badly for everyone
and emphasized the difficulty of distinguishing a nuclear Tomahawk missile from a conventional one in flight. Alexey Pushkov, a Russian senator, also warned of the triple harm
this decision could cause. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that handling such sophisticated missiles would inevitably require the involvement of US specialists.
President Trump has not yet clarified his final decision on the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. However, he did reveal that he plans to discuss the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by the Kyiv Independent and the New York Times. Furthermore, according to ANSA, the US has been assisting Kyiv in striking Russian refineries.
Implications and Reactions
The potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could have significant implications. If put into action, the reach of these missiles could open up large portions of Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, to Ukrainian long-range missile strikes, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. However, there are concerns about further escalation, with an Italian general anticipating that the Pentagon might dissuade Trump from such a move due to the need for direct American involvement in determining targets (TASS).
Despite Russian warnings, a senior official in Kyiv has claimed to The Telegraph that these missiles could be used to pressure
Russia into agreeing to a peace deal.
Conclusion
As the situation stands, the decision to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles is still under consideration by the US. The move has potential to significantly alter the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Russia urging caution and Ukraine viewing it as a tool for negotiation. However, the final outcome remains uncertain as the world watches the developments closely.