US President Donald Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, amid growing speculation that the US may supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, a move that could dramatically reshape the war. The meeting follows Trump’s “productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders discussed efforts to end the conflict.
The 47th POTUS initially signalled openness to providing the weapons, saying, “We have a lot of Tomahawks,” but added that America “can’t deplete our country.” His remarks came after Putin warned that such a step would “cause substantial damage” to US-Russia relations and “not change the situation on the battlefield.” Still, Zelenskyy remains hopeful. “We see and hear that Russia is afraid that the Americans may give us Tomahawks that this kind of pressure may work for peace,” the Ukrainian president said earlier this week.Trump’s hesitation follows renewed diplomatic manoeuvres. He plans to meet Putin soon in Budapest to discuss peace proposals, as he touts ending the war as his top foreign policy goal. But with Moscow intensifying strikes and Ukraine pleading for more advanced weapons, the possible sale of Tomahawks has taken centre stage, one that both excites Kyiv and alarms the Kremlin.The Tomahawk cruise missile, developed in the 1970s by Raytheon, remains a cornerstone of US and allied strike capabilities. Used in Iraq, Libya, and Syria, it combines range, precision, and stealth. Flying just 100 feet above ground at roughly 550 mph, it evades radar and strikes with pinpoint accuracy. Each missile carries a 1,000lb warhead, costs between $1.3m and $2.5m, and can travel up to 1,500 miles far enough for Ukraine to hit Russian military sites deep inside the country.
These missiles are usually launched from ships or submarines, but Ukraine could fire them from land using America’s new Typhon launcher system, a container-based platform designed after the US withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019. Ukrainian troops, already adept at using HIMARS and ATACMS, are expected to require minimal training.What is a Tomahawk?A Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile propelled by a jet engine, guided by on-board GPS and other navigation aids. It is roughly 6 metres long, carries a warhead of several hundred kilograms and can be highly accurate at long ranges.How far can Tomahawks fly?Public reporting gives ranges of around 995 miles (1,600 km) to roughly 1,500 miles in some accounts. Either way, their reach is far greater than Ukraine’s existing deep-strike options.Why does Ukraine want Tomahawks?Zelenskyy argues that long-range missiles could allow Ukraine to strike strategic Russian targets from drone factories to oil depots compelling Moscow to negotiate. “Strength can truly create momentum for peace,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.How might Russia respond?The Kremlin has called the proposal a “serious escalation.” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned, “Just imagine: a long-range missile is launched and we know it could be nuclear. What should Russia think?” Former president Dmitry Medvedev went further, calling the move “potentially dangerous.”Could these missiles change the course of the war?Experts are divided. Defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke told Sky News the weapons would give Ukraine “massive firepower to target key Russian infrastructure,” though they might not be the “game-changer” some expect. Still, their long reach could severely disrupt Russia’s logistics and manufacturing networks.Are Tomahawks difficult to intercept?Yes. The missile’s low-altitude trajectory makes it hard for Russian radar systems including the S-400 to detect. Andriy Kovalenko from Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation said, “Tomahawks are especially effective when launched in salvos, as overloading air defences increases their success rate.”How many could Ukraine get?Analysts suggest the numbers would be limited. Production of Tomahawks has slowed, and the US Navy’s stockpiles have dipped after heavy use in the Middle East. Depending on the cost between $4m and $12m apiece Ukraine might receive fewer than 100 missiles.Why is Russia so concerned?Beyond battlefield impact, the symbolism matters. John E. Herbst of the Atlantic Council said, “Kremlin hysteria over a possible delivery shows it could influence Putin’s policies.” Even if limited, Tomahawks would signal that Washington is willing to raise the stakes.How are Tomahawk missiles launched?The US developed the Typhon containerised launcher — essentially a 40-foot shipping container concealing missile tubes that rotate upward to fire. That system allows traditionally sea-launched Tomahawks to be fired from land, though deployment needs logistics, protected emplacements and support equipment to generate and upload flight-planning data.How accurate are they and how do they find targets?Tomahawks use terrain-contour matching, GPS, and other guidance to strike with precision. Later variants can be reprogrammed in flight, loiter near targets and be redirected to alternate targets.As Zelenskyy prepares for his fourth meeting with Trump since January, Kyiv is betting that the mere threat of Tomahawks could force Moscow to rethink its strategy. Whether Trump delivers them or keeps the offer as leverage, the message to Russia is unmistakable: Washington still holds powerful cards in this war.
(With inputs from agencies)
