Trump ready to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, but plans to speak with Putin first
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. However, he will likely speak with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin about it first, reports Clash Report.
The US leader noted that supplying Tomahawk missiles would mark a new stage of escalation, so it is worth discussing the matter with Russia first. Trump believes Moscow does not want those missiles flying toward its territory.
“I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest, about the Tomahawks. Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so. I think I might speak to Russia about that, to be fair. As I talk to President Zelenskyy, because the Tomahawks are a new step of aggression. You understand that very well,” the US president said.
Afterward, Trump was asked whether he meant that he would first talk to Putin about the Tomahawks before sending the missiles to Ukraine. He allowed for such a conversation, noting that the decision would depend on whether Russia decides to end the war.
“Maybe I’ll talk to him. I might say, ‘Look, if the war is not settled, I’ll send them the Tomahawks.’ I may say that the Tomahawk is an incredible weapon — a very offensive weapon,” Trump said.
He emphasized that Russia doesn’t need this and reiterated that if Moscow does not end the war, the US might go ahead and send the Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
“And honestly, Russia does not need that. They don’t need it. Yes, I might tell them that if the war is not settled — that we may very well. We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up. Yes, I want to see the war settled,” the US president explained.
Trump also told reporters that he had held two good phone conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump–Zelenskyн conversation
On Saturday and Sunday, the presidents of the US and Ukraine held phone conversations.
Among the key topics discussed were the possible transfer of long-range Tomahawk and Patriot missiles.
On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News that Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision regarding the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. However, potential targets for them have already been identified on Russian territory.
Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine would be ready to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he pressures Putin and stops him.
