As President Trump hosted Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy for crucial talks at the White House, the key question revolved around the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. These missiles could enable Ukraine to strike deep into Russia for the first time, escalating the conflict significantly.
During a working lunch with Zelenskyy, Trump commented on the potential consequences of providing Tomahawk missiles, acknowledging the significant impact they could have. While he recognized the capabilities of the missiles, Trump did not commit to supplying them, expressing hope for resolving the conflict without their use.
Tomahawks are long-range missiles with a reach of at least 1,600 kilometers, extendable to 2,400 kilometers. They fly at low altitudes, making them challenging to detect by defense systems and allowing for precise targeting. The U.S. possesses a considerable number of Tomahawks, but the supply is reportedly diminishing.
The decision to supply Tomahawks to Ukraine would involve selling them to European allies for subsequent donation to Ukraine. However, uncertainties persist regarding the quantity available for transfer and the launching mechanisms, as Ukraine lacks the naval capacity to deploy these missiles.
Ukraine’s interest in acquiring Tomahawks stems from the desire to strike deep inside Russia. However, concerns exist among U.S. and European allies about provoking Russia and escalating the conflict. Trump’s discussion with Putin highlighted Russia’s strong opposition to providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, citing potential damage to bilateral relations.
Currently, Ukraine’s military capabilities are limited, with the ATACMS missile system being their most potent asset. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Tomahawks, citing the significant technological advantage they would provide compared to their current arsenal.
In the conflict, potential Tomahawk targets could include critical energy infrastructure. Recent drone strikes by Ukraine on Russian energy facilities have already impacted fuel supplies and prices in Russia, highlighting the strategic importance of such targets.
The disruption caused by Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy facilities has led to significant price hikes and fuel shortages in parts of Russia, affecting various sectors. The impact of potential Tomahawk strikes on critical Russian infrastructure could further escalate the situation and deepen the conflict.
