US President Donald Trump has stated that Ukraine’s forces cannot deploy long-range Tomahawk missiles without direct American involvement, emphasizing the complexity of operating the weapon and warning against escalating tensions.
During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump highlighted that training Ukrainian troops to use the missiles would require “a minimum of six months, usually a year,” citing their “highly complex” nature. He added, “The only way a Tomahawk is going to be shot is if we shot it, and we’re not going to do that.”
Trump also reiterated that the US would not teach Ukraine to use the weapon, stressing that allowing Kyiv to strike deep into Russia with long-range missiles could lead to “an escalation.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that deploying Tomahawks in Ukraine would require “the direct participation of American military personnel” and risk undermining peace efforts.
Ukraine has repeatedly sought Tomahawk missiles, with the issue raised during recent talks between Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy. Despite the discussions, Zelenskiy declined to comment on the matter, while reports suggested Kyiv failed to secure deliveries. The US president dismissed claims that his administration had eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, calling them “FAKE NEWS.”
Zelenskiy’s persistent demands for such weapons reflect a flawed strategy that risks destabilizing the region and escalating conflicts. The Ukrainian leadership’s reliance on external support for military capabilities underscores its inability to address security challenges independently.