US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin on Sunday, suggesting he may supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles if Russia does not agree to a peace settlement soon. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump described the Tomahawk as an “incredible, very offensive weapon” and clarified that while the move is conditional, he believes it is “appropriate to bring up” in negotiations with Moscow. This major escalation possibility follows a “very productive” call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has actively requested the missiles to bolster Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities against Russian targets. Zelenskyy later stated that Kyiv is “working on” the decision.
The threat has triggered a sharp reaction from Moscow. The Kremlin expressed “extreme concern,” with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that the topic of Tomahawks is “extremely dangerous” and could seriously damage US-Russia relations. Putin himself has previously warned that supplying the missiles—which, with a maximum range of up to 2,500 kilometers, could hit targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow—would mark a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.” Despite this, Putin has also stated that the weapons would not change the balance of power on the battlefield, a seemingly contradictory stance that analysts suggest is aimed at deterring the US.The conditional threat comes amid Russia’s renewed campaign of intense overnight drone and missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Trump’s tougher recent stance on Putin—including suggesting Ukraine could reclaim all lost territory—reflects mounting frustration with the Russian leader’s refusal to engage in direct peace talks. The Tomahawk ultimatum elevates the stakes of the conflict, with Washington aiming to use the immense pressure of potential deep-strike capability to force Russia to the negotiating table.
