Tonight, former President Donald Trump is once again inserting himself into the heart of global diplomacy — this time warning Russian President Vladimir Putin that he could arm Ukraine with U.S.-made tomahawk missiles unless Russia returns to serious peace talks.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on his way to the Middle East, President Trump revealed details of recent phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to two sources familiar with the talks, Trump told Zelenskyy he might issue a direct ultimatum to Putin — end the war or risk Ukraine receiving long-range Tomahawk missiles.
The move, if carried out, would mark a significant escalation in U.S. military support. Tomahawk missiles can strike deep inside Russia — including Moscow — and Ukrainian officials argue that such weapons could pressure the Kremlin into returning to the negotiating table. Sources say no final decision has been made, but discussions between Washington and Kyiv are intensifying.
Trump told reporters, quote, “I might have to speak to Russia about Tomahawks. Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.” He added that if peace talks do not resume soon, “I may send them Tomahawks. Russia doesn’t need that.”
Zelenskyy described his weekend calls with Trump as “very positive and productive.” In a statement, he congratulated Trump on his role in the Gaza peace deal and said, “If that war can be stopped, surely others can be as well — including Russia’s war.”
Zelenskyy said he briefed Trump on Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and discussed concrete steps to strengthen air defenses ahead of the winter.
A White House official confirmed the two leaders spoke twice — once on Saturday for about 30 minutes, and again on Sunday for 40 minutes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior U.S. officials were reportedly on the call.
According to sources, the discussions covered Ukraine’s weapons supply, energy stability, and the possibility of selling Tomahawk missiles through NATO partners that could then deliver them to Ukraine.
The U.S.-made Tomahawks have far greater range and precision than the weapons Ukraine currently uses — capable of striking command centers and arms depots hundreds of miles away. Ukrainian officials say just possessing them could deter Russian aggression and force serious peace negotiations.
But Moscow sees it differently. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would represent a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” in the conflict.
Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian delegation — led by Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko — is expected in Washington on Tuesday to discuss defense cooperation, sanctions against Russia, and the potential transfer of Tomahawk missiles.
Trump said Monday that he has “sort of made a decision” about the missile proposal — but wants to know how Ukraine intends to use the weapons before giving final approval.
As global tensions rise, his warning to Putin — “end the war, or Ukraine gets Tomahawks” — marks one of the most direct challenges yet in the ongoing effort to bring the war to an end.
Reporting by Lisa Lomami.
