Donald Trump has issued a warning to Russia, suggesting he might take a “new step of aggression” by supplying powerful weapons to Ukraine if Vladimir Putin does not stop the war. Speaking to the press aboard Air Force One on October 12, Trump hinted at sending American-made Tomahawk missiles to bolster Ukraine’s defense as a way to push for peace.
Trump has often stated his belief that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for ending several wars during his presidency, despite not receiving the award. His recent statement indicates he remains committed to trying to end conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Tomahawk missiles he mentioned are capable of striking targets with precision from over 1,000 miles away, which could allow Ukraine to reach deep into Russian territory if these weapons were delivered.
During the discussion with reporters, Trump explained that he might inform Russia that if the war does not end, the U.S. could send these missiles to Ukraine. He described Tomahawks as “very offensive weapons” and stressed that Russia should avoid escalating the situation further. Trump also revealed he had talked with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the possible transfer of these arms, a point Zelenskyy seemed to acknowledge in a recent interview.
Furthermore, Trump suggested that the possibility of Ukraine receiving Tomahawks might encourage Russia to reconsider continuing the war. He questioned whether Russia would welcome having such weapons pointed their way, implying it would be a strong deterrent. Despite Putin being responsible for initiating the conflict, Trump believes that resolving the war could improve Putin’s image, but failure to do so will have negative consequences for Russia.
In response to these remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov voiced serious concerns about the idea of providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The Kremlin views this development as worrisome, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict and the potential escalation caused by introducing long-range precision weapons.
