...
By Mandy Taheri
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump said in a Sunday interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures that amid Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk missiles from the United States in its ongoing war with Russia, “we have to remember one thing, we need them for ourselves too.”
Why It Matters
Trump’s comments come days after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, who has been in the spotlight for his recent global peace negotiations, notably the fragile agreement between Hamas and Israel, has also sought to help end the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Read More on News
Russia has seized large areas of Ukraine since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, years after annexing Crimea in 2014.
Tomahawk missiles are long-range, precision weapons that are able to fly at low altitudes and have been a staple of U.S. military operations since the early 1990s. The U.S.’s recent use of the missiles includes bombing Iran in June and attacks against the Houthis in Yemen. They can be launched from ships, submarines, and land.
...
What To Know
In an interview that aired Sunday, Bartiromo asked Trump, “You were considering sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine? Are you still seriously considering that?”
Trump responded, “Well, I’ve been asked by Ukraine if they could have Tomahawks, I’m looking at it. I spoke with Vladimir Putin about it, not that he would be thrilled.” He added that the missiles are, “violent, vicious weapon[s].”
He continued: “We have to remember one thing; we need them for ourselves too. We can’t give all of our weapons to Ukraine; we just can’t do that.” Trump did not specify any anticipated use for the missiles, offensive or defensive.
“I’ve been very good to President Zelensky, and to Ukraine but we can’t give…if we’re going to be short, I don't want to do that, I can’t jeopardize the United States,” the president said. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, estimated that the U.S. Navy had around 4,000 Tomahawk missiles in its inventory in 2023, according to the Associated Press.
Raytheon, the defense manufacturer that produces Tomahawks, says the U.S. has operationally used them around 2,350 times.
The Trump administration has renamed the Department of Defense to the Department of War and engaged in serious military missions, including using B-2 stealth bombers as well as Tomahawks against Iran in June and recently several attacks of alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.
Zelensky has requested the U.S. give his country Tomahawks to help fight against Putin. At one point, Trump alluded to potentially completing the transfer, which would mark a significant escalation in U.S. military support, potentially enabling Ukraine to target infrastructure deep within Russian territory. However, Trump's most recent statements appear to keep the Tomahawks for the U.S.
Tomahawks would be the longest-range U.S. weapons supplied to Ukraine, capable of striking targets more than 1,000 miles away—including Moscow, which sits roughly 500 miles from Kyiv. The transfer of the missiles would put Moscow on its heels, and in Kyiv’s mind would bring the two closer to negotiations.
...
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in an October 17 Truth Social post about both Zelensky and Putin: “…it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! No more shooting, no more Death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday on state radio, per the AP: “Budapest is essentially the only place in Europe today where such a meeting could be held, primarily because Hungary is almost the only pro-peace country. For three years, we have been the only country that has consistently, openly, loudly and actively advocated for peace.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on NBC News' Meet the Press with Kristen Welker on Sunday: “Well, we are not losing this war, and Putin is not winning. And really, his army now [is] in a weak position…And really I don't understand why the leader of the country, which has the biggest territory in the world, they need some more kilometers—that's why I think that this war is not about the land and not about territory for him. It's about our sovereignty and about our independence.”
What Happens Next?
Trump is set to meet with Putin in Budapest soon. Zelensky said on Meet the Press on Sunday that he told Trump “I’m ready” to join the talks.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines