Tomahawk Denied: Trump Blocks Weapons Transfer to Ukraine

Ukraine has repeatedly requested the transfer of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, but the White House has so far declined to approve the delivery.

This issue became one of the key ones during the negotiations between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, Axios reports, citing sources.

According to the report, Tomahawk missiles appeared several times this year on the list of equipment that Kyiv officially requested from Washington. However, this particular weapons system remained the only one that Trump refused to approve.

“This was the only weapons system on the list that Trump did not agree to sell to NATO countries for Ukraine’s needs,” the report states.

Zelenskyy confirmed that he raised the issue of transferring these missiles during a personal meeting with the American president this week.

“We’ll work on it,” Trump reportedly replied, according to the Ukrainian president.

At the same time, the head of state emphasized that the presence of Tomahawks in the hands of the Armed Forces of Ukraine could force the Kremlin to sit down at the negotiating table.

“These missiles will help force Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to sit at the negotiating table,” Zelenskyy said in an interview.

Axios notes that Trump’s refusal may be due not only to fears of escalation, but also to the limited stockpiles of Tomahawks themselves in the US.

It should be noted that the number of Tomahawk missiles stored in US warehouses is not officially disclosed. At the same time, it is known that as of fiscal year 2024, more than 7,300 units were manufactured, and production continues. The cost of one Block IV missile is estimated at approximately $1.87 million.

Recall that earlier, US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and outlined the conditions under which Russia could be defeated in the war against Ukraine.

It was previously reported that Trump unexpectedly changed his rhetoric regarding the war, stating that Kyiv, with the support of European partners, has the strength and capabilities to return all territories captured by Russia.