Finnish PM urges Trump to let Ukraine strike Russia with Tomahawk missiles
Photo: Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump must allow Ukraine to use American long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, the Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated.
Orpo warned that Russia poses a “constant threat” to Europe’s security, and Ukraine must receive the weapons it needs for self-defense.
He urged Trump to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons for self-defense and to persuade Russian leader Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table.
"Putin believes only in power. If we want to stop the war we have to be on the same level or even stronger," the Finnish Prime Minister said.
He expressed hope that Trump would eventually provide Ukraine with the corresponding missiles.
"I really hope that they can get the capabilities that they need to [counter]strike Russia and defend themselves. We know that this is a question between Zelenskyy and the United States, and I really hope they can find a solution," Orpo said.
What's known about Tomahawk
This is an American long-range cruise missile designed for high-precision strikes against ground targets at distances exceeding 1,500 kilometers. It can be launched from ships, submarines, and ground-based systems.
The missile flies at low altitudes, maneuvering along the terrain and avoiding enemy air defense systems, which makes it difficult to intercept.
Ukraine–US talks on Tomahawk transfers
Recently, Trump stated that the United States also needs Tomahawk cruise missiles and therefore cannot hand them over to Ukraine, despite having significant stockpiles.
According to him, the missiles are powerful and highly accurate, but the US must retain them for its own needs.
Trump also revealed that during a phone conversation, Putin did not like the idea of transferring several thousand Tomahawks to allies.
After that, Zelenskyy explained that the issue of transferring the missiles to Ukraine has not been removed from the agenda, but the sides agreed not to discuss it publicly to avoid escalation.
He added that Russians fear not only the missiles themselves but also how Ukraine might combine them with other types of weapons.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the decision on transferring the missiles to Ukraine remains open.
Earlier today, before the European Council meeting, Zelenskyy stated that the decision regarding the Tomahawk transfer is “very sensitive,” but could unfold similarly to the US sanctions, which at one point also seemed hard to believe.
