The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has reached a critical juncture, with a potential game-changer on the horizon. The threat of Tomahawk missiles looms large, sparking intense debate and concern.
Former US President Donald Trump has made a bold statement, suggesting he might send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't end his invasion. Trump, aboard Air Force One en route to the Middle East, told reporters, "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 Tomahawks.'" This revelation comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested Tomahawks during a call with Trump, discussing a fresh supply of weapons for Kyiv.
Trump's consideration of supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine via European allies has been ongoing since his unsuccessful peace deal meeting with Putin in Alaska last August. Putin has previously warned against such a move, stating it would be a major escalation and impact relations between Washington and Moscow. Trump has hinted at a decision, saying, "I have sort of made a decision," leaving many to speculate about his intentions.
Zelenskyy's response to the potential Tomahawk supply has been cautious. When asked on Fox News, he replied, "we will see." He further elaborated, "We work on it... And I'm waiting for the president to yes." Zelenskyy confirmed talks with US officials about various long-range precision-strike weapons, including Tomahawks and more ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. A senior Ukrainian delegation is scheduled to visit the US this week to continue these discussions.
Moscow has expressed "extreme concern" over the potential Tomahawk supply. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, "The topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern." He added, "Now is a very dramatic moment as tensions escalate from all sides." Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, also doubted the US would provide Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, suggesting Trump's tactics might involve a more measured approach.
Amidst these diplomatic tensions, Russia has launched attacks on Ukraine's power grid, targeting energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Governor Mykola Kalashnyk reported that two employees of Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, were wounded in Russian strikes on a substation. Ukraine's energy ministry confirmed infrastructure attacks in the regions of Donetsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv. Zelenskyy wrote on X, "Russia continues its aerial terror, intensifying strikes on our energy infrastructure." He added that Russia had launched "more than 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and around 1,360 glide bombs" in the past week.
Zelenskyy called for tighter secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil, writing, "Sanctions, tariffs, and joint actions against the buyers of Russian oil - those who finance this war - must all remain on the table." He highlighted the importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities, along with addressing details related to the energy sector. This follows a "very productive" phone call with Trump, where they discussed these critical issues.
In a positive development, Zelenskyy reported gains in Ukraine's counteroffensive in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and the Donetsk region, where Kyiv has been reporting successes. Donetsk remains the focal point of the conflict.
But here's where it gets controversial... What impact could the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles have on the conflict? And this is the part most people miss... How might this decision influence the broader geopolitical landscape? These are questions that demand our attention and thoughtful consideration. What are your thoughts on this complex situation? Feel free to share your insights and opinions in the comments below!
