Zelenskyy on Tomahawks: Manufacturers eager to sell to Ukraine, but Trump has final say
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
American manufacturers are ready to sell Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles. However, the final decision must be made by US President Donald Trump, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing.
"As I said, we are working on this issue with our partners — primarily with the US, with the White House, and the President. We are also working separately with the manufacturers," Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that the decision to supply Tomahawk missiles is an additional form of pressure on Russia, which makes it important for Ukraine.
"President Trump did not say 'no,' and various institutions have given us positive signals regarding this decision. Certainly, the final decision rests with the US President," he added.
Zelenskyy stressed that American manufacturers are ready to respond quickly once the supplies are approved.
"We discussed this with the manufacturers. If there is a positive signal from President Trump, they will gladly transfer or sell the relevant systems," he said.
According to the President, during talks with the American side, the issue of supplying other long-range systems was also discussed.
"We are interested in a set of different solutions. For us, this is a deterrence package against Russian aggression and the right response to strikes on our civilian infrastructure, especially the energy sector. We are working on this, and the chances that we will receive such systems definitely exist," the head of state added.
Tomahawk for Ukraine
Ukraine is seeking to obtain Tomahawk and other long-range missiles that would allow it to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
However, US President Donald Trump said that Tomahawks could be effective only if they were launched by the US — and, he said, the US does not intend to do that.
Earlier, the Pentagon approved transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. However, CNN reported that deliveries will not begin until the decision is personally made by Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US President to be open to helping Ukraine with long-range weapons. He stressed that our country needs such support and that possessing long-range weapons could be a deterrent.
According to Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine and the US are holding "positive" talks on purchasing long-range Tomahawk missiles as well as other long-range weapons.
