In yet another bold and confrontational statement that underscores his unpredictable foreign policy style, US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that Washington could supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Moscow does not move swiftly toward a peace settlement.
The remarks, reported by the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, came as Trump spoke to journalists aboard Air Force One while en route to Israel and Egypt — two stops on his ongoing diplomatic tour focused on security and conflict resolution in the Middle East.
According to Trump, his warning to the Kremlin came after recent conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been pressing Washington for advanced weapon systems to bolster Kyiv’s defence capabilities amid the prolonged conflict with Russia.
I might say, ‘Look — if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,’” Trump said, referring to the powerful Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are capable of striking targets hundreds of miles away with precision.
“The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon — a very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.”
The Tomahawk, a long-range subsonic cruise missile developed by the United States Navy, has historically been used in strategic strikes during conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
It remains one of the most advanced and versatile weapons in America’s arsenal — and one whose potential transfer to Ukraine would dramatically escalate tensions with Moscow.
A Renewed Threat Amid Diplomatic Posturing
Trump’s statement appears to signal a new phase in his approach to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine — one that blends diplomatic coercion with strategic ambiguity.
Though he has repeatedly said that he wants to “end wars, not start them,” his words on Sunday carried a thinly veiled military threat, suggesting that the US could use its advanced weapon systems as leverage to force Moscow toward negotiation.
The warning is reminiscent of Trump’s earlier pattern of using economic and military threats — including tariffs, sanctions, and arms deals — as instruments of persuasion on the global stage.
His administration officials have previously hinted that Trump believes “pressure brings peace,” a philosophy evident in his statements about conflicts from the Middle East to South Asia.
A Conversation with Zelenskyy
According to Reuters, Trump held two rounds of talks with Zelenskyy over the weekend — on Saturday and Sunday — to discuss Ukraine’s growing security concerns and the country’s request for more sophisticated US weaponry.
While the White House has not disclosed specific details of their discussion, sources familiar with the call said Zelenskyy sought assurances of continued US military support amid renewed Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine.
Trump’s response — offering the possibility of Tomahawk missile transfers — appears to have been both a message of reassurance to Kyiv and a calculated provocation to Moscow.
The Larger Geopolitical Context
The threat comes at a sensitive time for US-Russia relations, already strained over sanctions, cyberattacks, and disputes over nuclear arms treaties.
Analysts say that even mentioning the possibility of Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine will be perceived by the Kremlin as a major escalation, potentially pushing Moscow to harden its stance rather than soften it.
However, Trump’s inner circle argues that this is precisely the kind of hardball diplomacy that the US president believes works best. “He uses the stick before offering the carrot,” said one foreign policy aide, describing Trump’s style as “calculated brinkmanship.”
A Familiar Tone of Defiance
This is not the first time Trump has brandished the threat of military power to make a point. Earlier in his term, he took credit for ending several global conflicts “through strength,” including tensions between India and Pakistan and multiple Middle East flare-ups — at times attributing his success to economic and strategic pressure tactics.
His latest comments on Russia continue this theme, portraying him as a leader unafraid of confrontation if it serves what he calls “the larger goal of peace.”I don’t want to send them (Tomahawks),” Trump said, pausing briefly before adding, “but if Russia refuses peace, they’ll leave me no choice.”
The comment, though delivered in Trump’s typically offhand manner, was enough to send ripples through diplomatic circles across Washington and Brussels.
What Comes Next
As of Sunday night, there was no immediate response from the Kremlin, though Russian state media have in the past dismissed Trump’s threats as “rhetorical theatrics.
” Analysts, however, warn that even rhetorical escalations can dangerously heighten mistrust between the two nuclear powers.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has welcomed Trump’s statement as a sign of “moral and strategic support.” A senior Ukrainian defence official said the remarks reflect “a willingness by the United States to consider all options if Russia continues its aggression.”
Whether this latest warning will translate into concrete action remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: Trump’s Tomahawk threat has once again put him at the centre of the world’s most volatile geopolitical conflict.
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