From the Oval Office, President Trump told reporters he is considering providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine but that he wants assurances about their deployment first. Trump stated that he wanted to find out what they’re doing with them, and where they are sending them, adding he does not want to see further escalation in the war, according to a Reuters report.
Trump seeks clarity before greenlighting missile supply
He added that he has “sort of made a decision” but is holding off final approval until he can assess Ukraine’s intentions, according to Axios. Trump also emphasized that the war should never have started and criticized all sides, noting heavy casualties.
Tomahawk missiles, with ranges up to 2,500 km, are prized for their precision and deep-strike capacity. Kyiv has long requested such systems to hit strategic targets in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded sharply, warning that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would usher in “a new level of escalation” and severely damage US–Russia ties. He also questioned whether the missiles could be used without US involvement.
"Will this damage our relations, considering that we have finally started seeing light at the end of the tunnel? Of course, this would be detrimental to our relations. How can it be otherwise? You cannot use the Tomahawks without the direct involvement of US military personnel. This would signal the advent of a totally new stage in this escalation, including in terms of Russia's relations with the United States," Putin was quoted as saying on this development, according to ANI.
As diplomacy and arms support decisions intertwine with strategic caution, all eyes remain on Trump’s final call and its ripple effects across the ongoing conflict and fragile US-Russia relations.
