By Charlie McCarthy | Friday, 31 October 2025 02:09 PM EDT
The Pentagon has reportedly approved Ukraine’s potential receipt of long-range Tomahawk missiles from the U.S., pending a decision by former President Donald Trump. According to CNN, the War Department informed the White House that transferring the missiles would not jeopardize American stockpiles, removing the final technical obstacle. However, Trump has expressed reluctance, stating he prefers not to provide weapons that could be needed for U.S. defense.
“I’d rather not provide them because we don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,” Trump said during a recent White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The decision comes amid pressure from European allies, who argue that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory could shorten the war.
The Tomahawk missile, capable of traveling approximately 1,000 miles, would enable Ukrainian forces to target strategic energy and military sites far beyond frontline areas. European officials criticized Trump’s shifting stance, which initially suggested openness to the transfer before he reconsidered following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin reportedly warned that Tomahawks could reach Moscow and St. Petersburg, risking U.S.-Russia relations without altering battlefield dynamics.
Despite Pentagon clearance, Trump has left the matter unresolved. Sources told CNN the administration has prepared contingency plans to deploy the missiles swiftly if authorized. Meanwhile, Trump intensified economic pressure on Russia by imposing sweeping sanctions on state-owned oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil—the most significant U.S. sanctions since the invasion began.
European leaders, including Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, urged Trump to proceed with the transfer, arguing that “Putin believes only in power” and that arming Ukraine could force Moscow to negotiate. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte supported Trump’s cautious approach, noting the Tomahawk system requires months of training and would not immediately impact the war.
Reuters reported Russia has used the 9M729 cruise missile, which previously prompted Trump to exit the INF Treaty in 2019, in recent attacks on Ukraine. Kyiv’s foreign ministry accused Moscow of disrespecting U.S. diplomacy, reinforcing calls for long-range Western systems.
Trump’s decision balances maintaining U.S. military readiness while applying pressure on Putin through sanctions and diplomatic efforts.
