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US President Donald Trump said he is not currently considering any deal to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, though he left open the possibility of changing his mind in the future. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying back to Washington from Palm Beach, Florida, Trump dismissed reports suggesting that the US might sell Tomahawk missiles to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraine. “No, not really,” he said when asked if such a deal was under consideration. The US President, however, said that his position could shift. Trump has repeatedly expressed caution about steps that might escalate the war with Russia. His remarks on Sunday underscored his reluctance to approve any move that could be perceived as direct US involvement. He and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed the Tomahawk proposal during their meeting at the White House on October 22. Rutte told reporters on Friday that the issue was “under review” but that the final decision rested with Washington. Russia’s Warning Moscow has strongly objected to the possibility of the US supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, warning that such support could further strain relations and jeopardise any potential peace efforts. Trump later told journalists at the White House that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the issue. “I did actually say to him, ‘Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousands of Tomahawks to your opposition?’ I did say that to him,” Trump recounted, adding that Putin “did not appear to like that idea.” About Tomahawk Missiles Developed in the 1970s, Tomahawk missiles are long-range, precision-guided cruise missiles that can be launched from ships or submarines for deep-strike attacks on land targets. According to Pentagon documents, they use a combination of inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) or Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) systems for guidance. Flying at low altitudes—about 30 metres above ground—Tomahawks can travel more than 1,250 to 2,500 kilometres. They typically carry conventional warheads but are also capable of being equipped with nuclear payloads.
