Long-range dilemma: US not sure Ukraine will use Tomahawks “correctly”
US President Donald Trump said that he has practically made a decision to allow the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to NATO countries, which, in turn, could transfer them to Ukraine.
At the same time, an Axios source close to the Ukrainian government reports that the White House administration is concerned about whether it will be possible to control the use of such missiles after their transfer to allies and then to the Ukrainian side.
In Kiev, it is believed that the Tomahawks will allow them to strike military targets deep inside Russia, strengthen deterrence, and push the Kremlin to negotiate. Trump himself, when asked about his decision, said: “I’ve practically made a decision,” but added that before the delivery he wants to know exactly how Ukraine plans to use the weapons. “Where they’re sending them — I’ll have to ask that question. I would ask some questions. I don’t want an escalation,” he said.
However, Kyiv and those close to the Ukrainian government say they have no confirmation yet of what Trump’s decision was. According to the source, Washington’s concerns are about the risk of uncontrolled use and the possible consequences for security and escalation of the conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Vladimir Putin has already reacted, calling the possible delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine “a serious, qualitatively new stage of escalation.” According to him, if such missiles appear in Ukraine, it would allegedly lead to a direct confrontation between the United States and Russia and destroy any efforts to normalize relations.
As is known, President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting with Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York, requested the supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which, according to his estimates, could change the course of the war.
Recall, US President Donald Trump said that he had almost made a decision to transfer Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
It should be noted that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has stated that relations between Russia and the United States could be “destroyed” if Washington decides to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
As reported, the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Vladimir Putin is purposefully sending signals to the Donald Trump administration, trying to prevent the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine . The Kremlin is combining threats to “destroy relations” and downplaying the usefulness of the weapons in order to achieve concessions from the US and maintain a secure rear in the depths of Russia.
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