Trump threatens to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles unless Putin stops war
US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if the war unleashed by Russia is not resolved. He views this threat as a tool of pressure on the Kremlin and plans to discuss it directly with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Source: Trump during a press gaggle on Air Force One en route to the Middle East to attend the signing ceremony of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas
Details: During the flight to the Middle East, Trump commented on his policy regarding the war in Ukraine, contrasting it with the approach of the previous administration.
"Biden gave them [Ukraine] US$350 billion and we didn't. We gave them nothing, but we gave them respect and some other things, frankly," he said.
He confirmed that he had discussed the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Trump, the United States could send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine "if this war is not going to get settled".
"They need Patriots very badly. They'd like to have Tomahawks…," the US president said.
He described the Tomahawk missile as "an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon" and added that before making a final decision, he might discuss the issue with Putin.
Quote from Trump: "I might talk to him [Putin]. I might say: 'Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I'm going to send them [Ukrainians] Tomahawks.' I may say that. The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that."
Details: Trump did not announce an immediate decision or specific timeline for the delivery but emphasised that "Tomahawks are a new step of aggression" and that the US must understand how exactly Ukraine plans to use them before making any decision on the supply.
Answering a question about whether the experience of peace talks between Israel and Hamas could be applied to Ukraine, the US president stressed the importance of persistence.
"I think what you can take is that never give up. Just never give up," Trump said.
He called Ukrainians "good fighters" and said that Putin "would look great" if he chose to resolve the issue.
"And if he doesn't, it's not going to be good for him," Trump added.
Background:
- On 11 October, Zelenskyy spoke with Trump by phone. According to media reports, one of the topics of conversation was the possibility of Ukraine obtaining Tomahawk long-range missiles.
- The Kremlin said that the possible delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine causes "serious concern" in Russia.
- On 12 October, Zelenskyy held a second phone call with Trump in two days.
- Later, Zelenskyy said that Russia fears that the United States will transfer Tomahawk long-range missiles to Kyiv and therefore, such pressure could help end the war.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!