The US is considering sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine after rejecting Kyiv’s previous requests throughout the war, Vice President JD Vance shared on Fox News Sunday.
This month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked President Donald Trump during a private meeting to sell Tomahawks to European nations that could transfer the missiles to Kyiv.
While awaiting a final decision from Trump, a confirmation to supply the subsonic weapons — with a strike range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) and carrying a 450-kilogram (922-pound) warhead — could further escalate the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as heighten tensions between Moscow and Washington.
Heavy Hitter
Made by Raytheon, the Tomahawk missile is launched from ships and submarines for precision strikes against high-value or heavily defended land targets.
It measures around 20 feet (6 meters) long with a 21-inch (53-centimeter) diameter and a wingspan of 8.6 feet (2.6 meters). Meanwhile, it can fly at speeds of approximately 880 kilometers (547 miles) per hour at low altitudes.
Only the US and the UK operate the Tomahawk, while others like Germany and the Netherlands are in various stages of planning or acquisition.
Since the outbreak of the war in February 2022 and even under the administration of former US President Joe Biden, Kyiv’s request for similar long-range strike capabilities from Washington was declined due to the risk of intensifying the conflict.
However, amid Trump’s frustration with Russia over stalled peace negotiations with Ukraine, Zelensky said that US approval to send the missiles could pressure President Vladimir Putin into discussions, according to sources cited by The Telegraph.
While official decisions have not yet been made public, Reuters quoted US Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, as sharing what appears to be a positive indication in an interview with Fox News.
“I think reading what he (Trump) has said, and reading what Vice President Vance has said…the answer is yes. Use the ability to hit deep. There are no such things as sanctuaries,” Kellogg said.
