Trump has been sceptical of the move, saying he does not want to take steps that could further intensify the conflict. (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is not currently considering any deal that would allow Ukraine to receive long-range Tomahawk missiles for use against Russia, Reuters reported. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travelled from Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, Trump dismissed the idea of transferring the missiles through NATO partners.
“No, not really,” he said when asked whether he was considering such a deal, but added that his stance could change.
Proposal under discussion with NATO
Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed the possibility during a White House meeting on October 22. Rutte said on Friday that the proposal remained under review but stressed that the final decision rested with the United States.
Under the plan, Washington would sell Tomahawk cruise missiles to NATO allies, who could then transfer them to Kyiv. Trump, however, has been sceptical of the move, saying he does not want to take steps that could further intensify the conflict.
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Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of about 2,500 kilometres (1,550 miles), are capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested long-range weapons to strengthen Ukraine’s defences, while the Kremlin has warned that any delivery of Tomahawks to Kyiv would be seen as a major provocation.
(With inputs from agencies)
