Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has stated that he is currently not considering sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. During a press conference aboard Air Force One, a reporter inquired about the possibility of providing this long-range weaponry to Ukraine. Trump responded, “No, not really. Maybe there will be a change, but at this moment — I’m not considering it.”
The Pentagon has approved sending these cruise missiles to Ukraine, but the final decision rests with Trump. According to three officials familiar with the matter, both American and European, the Pentagon assessed that supplying the missiles would not adversely affect U.S. military stockpiles. This information was reported by CNN on March 15, 2024.
Earlier this month, during a working lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Trump indicated his preference to withhold these missiles. He expressed a need to retain them for the defense of the United States. This conversation took place before a military assessment was submitted to the White House, outlining the implications of sending such weaponry to Ukraine.
Zelensky has been actively seeking Tomahawk missiles to enhance Ukraine’s capability for more effective strikes against Russian energy infrastructure deep within its territory. The range of the Tomahawk missile is approximately 1,600 kilometers, providing Ukraine with significant striking power.
In a statement made just days before the meeting with Zelensky, Trump mentioned that the U.S. possesses “many Tomahawks” that he could potentially supply to Ukraine. This indicates a complex balancing act as the U.S. weighs its support for Ukraine against its own defense needs.
As the situation continues to unfold, the decision regarding the provision of Tomahawk missiles remains a critical point of discussion within U.S. foreign policy. The administration’s stance reflects broader geopolitical considerations as tensions remain high in the region.
