Trump Rules Out Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine "For Now"

US President Donald Trump clarified his position on November 2, stating that "for now" he is not considering any deal to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. This decision, which he justified by the desire to avoid escalating the war with Russia, puts the prospect of Kyiv expanding its military capabilities with long-range strikes in serious doubt. Trump's statement came after the issue had become a subject of high-level diplomatic discussions.

President Trump has consistently shown caution towards the plan, under which the United States could sell Tomahawk missiles to NATO allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine. His latest comments indicate that his position remains unchanged. On the presidential plane during a flight from Florida to Washington, when asked by reporters if he was considering the missile sale deal, Trump replied, "No, not really." However, he made a reservation, adding that he could change his mind.

The possibility of providing Tomahawk missiles is not just an abstract idea but has become a topic of international discussion. At a meeting in the White House on October 22, President Trump discussed this issue with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte. After the meeting, on Friday, Rutte confirmed that the issue is under review but stressed that the final decision depends exclusively on the United States. This effectively places all responsibility on the American administration and shows that European allies are waiting for Washington's leadership and political will to move forward on this sensitive issue.

The main reason for such caution is the exceptional strategic importance of Tomahawk missiles. These missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), making them an extremely powerful weapon. Such a range would theoretically allow Ukraine to strike military and infrastructure targets deep within the Russian Federation, right up to the capital, Moscow. It is this circumstance that is considered a "red line" in Washington, the crossing of which could lead to an unpredictable and large-scale escalation of the conflict. Therefore, the Trump administration's approach is to avoid steps that could lead to a direct confrontation with a nuclear power.