Trump has discussed weapons with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but said the tomahawk meant “stepping up” and that he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin first.
President Trump talks about sanctions against Russia after largest airstrike on Ukraine
President Donald Trump is threatening to tighten sanctions against Russia following the largest overnight air raid on Ukraine since the start of the war.
CBC – World Video
President Donald Trump has said he is considering providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine to protect it from Russia in the three-year war, a move the Kremlin has warned would increase tensions with the West.
President Trump said he had a good conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on October 12, and Zelensky requested additional weapons.
“They desperately need patriots,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “They want the Tomahawks. That’s a step forward.”
This latest threat is yet another reflection of President Trump’s growing loss of patience with Russia over resolving a war in which between 5,000 and 7,000 soldiers are killed each week. President Trump has warned of the possibility of additional sanctions against Russia and the possibility of Ukraine regaining lost territory.
Vice President J.D. Vance said Russia should “wake up and accept reality” in serious negotiations.
By supplying Tomahawk missiles that can fly 1,500 miles, Ukraine could strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including military bases, logistics hubs, airfields, and command centers. But Russia said that if the United States gave Ukraine Tomahawks, it would spark a new and dangerous escalation between Russia and the West.
Trump said he would first call Russian President Vladimir Putin and warn him that if the war did not end, he would provide cruise missiles to NATO, which could then hand them over to Ukraine. President Trump called the Tomahawks “a new phase of invasion.”
“To be honest with you, we may have to talk to Russia about the Tomahawk,” Trump said. “Do they want the Tomahawks to go in their direction? I don’t think so.”
Trump said the tomahawk threat would give Putin the impression he wanted to end the war.
“I might say, if this war doesn’t get resolved, we might send them the Tomahawks,” Trump added. “Maybe I’ll say that. Maybe I won’t, but maybe I will.”
President Zelenskiy said on October 12 that he believed Russia’s concerns were a reason to move forward.
“We see and hear that Russia is afraid that it will be given a tomahawk by the United States, that this kind of pressure will work on peace,” President Zelenskiy said.
Contributed by: Reuters
