During high-stakes talks at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with discussions centering on the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This move could enable Ukraine to launch deep strikes into Russia for the first time, escalating the conflict between the two nations.
While engaging in a working lunch with Zelenskyy, Trump commented on the possible consequences of providing Tomahawk missiles, acknowledging the significant impact they could have. He emphasized the potency of these weapons, referring to them as formidable assets.
During a meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for resolving the conflict without the need for Tomahawk missiles. Ukraine has requested assistance with long-range missile systems in response to Russia’s invasion.
However, Trump indicated that no firm commitment had been made yet, stating his desire to end the war without resorting to Tomahawks.
Here are essential details about the Tomahawk missile and its potential role in the ongoing conflict.
What is a Tomahawk?
A Tomahawk is a long-range missile capable of reaching distances of at least 1,600 kilometers, extendable to 2,400 kilometers in some cases. It flies at low altitudes, making it challenging for defense systems to detect, and can be precisely guided to specific targets.
Reports suggest that the U.S. possesses thousands of Tomahawks, although the availability appears to be diminishing. Recent data shows that the U.S. utilized over 135 Tomahawks in combat against Houthi rebels in Yemen, with only 22 new missiles ordered by the Pentagon in 2024 and no new requests in the current budget cycle.
If approved, the U.S. would sell the missiles to European allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine. However, the exact quantity that the U.S. would be willing to provide remains uncertain.
The launch mechanism for the missiles is also a point of ambiguity. Currently, Tomahawks are predominantly launched from ships or submarines, posing a challenge for Ukraine, which lacks the naval capacity to deploy such 20-foot-long missiles. Ground-based launch capabilities are not available.
Why does Ukraine seek Tomahawks?
Ukraine has expressed a longstanding interest in targeting locations deep within Russia. However, this prospect has raised concerns among U.S. and European allies due to the potential for provoking Russia, which has cautioned against expanding the conflict.
Trump referenced these concerns during