Trump’s Ultimatum: Give Ukraine Tomahawks If Russia Won’t Talk Peace
BREAKING: President Threatens “New Step Of Aggression” Against Moscow As Energy Warfare Reaches Critical Point
Trump Says Russia “Does Not Need” American Long-Range Strike Capability Hitting Their Territory
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — In a stunning escalation that could transform the Ukraine conflict overnight, President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles if Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate a serious peace settlement soon.
“I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,'” Trump told reporters flying to Israel on Sunday, describing the weapons as “an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon.”
This isn’t diplomatic subtlety. This is Trump putting Putin on notice.
THE TOMAHAWK THREAT: What Makes This Weapon A Game-Changer
The Tomahawk cruise missile isn’t just another weapons system. It’s a strategic nightmare for Russia.
These aren’t the short-range missiles Ukraine has been using. Tomahawks can strike targets over 1,000 miles away with pinpoint accuracy.
Think about what that means: Ukrainian forces could hit Moscow itself. St. Petersburg. Russia’s oil refineries deep in the Urals. Naval bases. Command centers. All from Ukrainian territory.
“Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump said of Russia. “I think I might speak to Russia about that.”
The President called Tomahawks “a new step of aggression” — language deliberately chosen to match Putin’s own escalation rhetoric.
RUSSIA’S PANICKED RESPONSE: “Extreme Concern”
Moscow got the message loud and clear.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov issued a statement Sunday calling the Tomahawk discussion “of extreme concern.”
That’s diplomatic speak for: We’re freaking out.
Russia has consistently warned that Western long-range weapons would “seriously damage” US-Russian relations and cross major red lines.
But here’s what’s different now: Trump seems willing to call Putin’s bluff.
After nine months of trying to negotiate peace, watching Russia pound Ukrainian cities nightly, and seeing Putin refuse direct talks with Zelenskyy, the President appears genuinely frustrated.
“I really think Putin would look great if he got this settled,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “It’s not going to be good for him” if the war continues.
Translation: I’m done being patient.
ZELENSKYY’S CALCULATED OPTIMISM: “We Work On It”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his latest call with Trump as “very productive.”
They discussed strengthening Ukraine’s “air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities,” along with “details related to the energy sector.”
When asked directly whether Trump had approved sending Tomahawks, Zelenskyy told Fox News: “We work on it. I’m waiting for president to yes.”
That’s Ukrainian diplomacy for: It’s not confirmed yet, but we’re hopeful.
Zelenskyy has been pushing for Tomahawks for months. His argument is simple: only serious pressure on Russian territory will force Putin to genuinely negotiate.
So far, Trump has resisted. But that resistance appears to be cracking.
THE ENERGY WAR CONTEXT: Why This Threat Comes Now
Trump’s Tomahawk warning didn’t come in a vacuum.
Russia launched massive attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight Saturday — part of an ongoing campaign to freeze Ukraine into submission before winter.
Over 240,000 homes in Odesa lost power. More than 800,000 customers in Kyiv went dark temporarily.
This is the fourth Ukrainian attack on Russian oil facilities in the past week alone.
Ukraine struck the massive Ufa refinery in Bashkortostan on Saturday — nearly 900 miles from Ukraine’s borders. That’s the third time that facility has been hit this month.
Ukraine also hit gas processing facilities and pumping stations in the Volgograd region.
The energy war is intensifying on both sides. And it’s creating economic pain that neither country can sustain indefinitely.
Russia faces gasoline shortages affecting up to 20% of its needs, according to Zelenskyy.
Ukraine will need to import an additional 30% more natural gas this winter at massive cost — potentially $2 billion just to make up for damaged infrastructure.
TRUMP’S STRATEGIC CALCULATION: Pressure Through Strength
The President’s shift toward potentially arming Ukraine with Tomahawks represents a dramatic evolution in his approach.
Trump came into office promising to end the war quickly. He hosted Putin in Alaska in August for a summit.
Initial optimism faded fast.
Putin has refused direct talks with Zelenskyy. Russian attacks on civilians have continued relentlessly. Peace negotiations have essentially collapsed.
Now Trump is trying a different tactic: threaten Putin with weapons that genuinely scare Moscow.
Last month, Trump announced he now believes Ukraine could win back all occupied territory — a huge shift from his earlier calls for Ukrainian concessions.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed the administration is considering sending Tomahawks, calling them part of keeping pressure on Russia.
THE KREMLIN’S NIGHTMARE SCENARIO: Deep Strikes On Russian Soil
Why does the Tomahawk threat work?
Because it fundamentally changes Russia’s strategic calculation.
Right now, Russia can strike anywhere in Ukraine with relative impunity. Ukrainian forces can only hit targets near the border or use long-range drones with limited payloads.
Tomahawks would flip that equation overnight.
Suddenly every Russian military installation, oil refinery, weapons factory, and command center within 1,000+ miles of Ukraine becomes vulnerable.
That’s almost the entire western half of Russia.
Putin’s war machine has depended on keeping its production facilities, fuel supplies, and logistics hubs safely out of Ukrainian reach.
Tomahawks would eliminate that sanctuary.
Russian officials have warned this would mean “severe consequences” and “a whole new level of escalation.”
But Trump appears willing to test whether those are serious threats or empty bluster.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Three Possible Paths
As Trump’s threat hangs in the air, here’s how this could play out:
SCENARIO 1 — Putin Blinks (Unlikely)
Russia suddenly becomes serious about peace talks, agrees to direct Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, negotiations accelerate. Trump never actually sends Tomahawks.
SCENARIO 2 — Gradual Escalation (Most Likely)
Trump approves Tomahawks in limited numbers, Ukraine uses them strategically to demonstrate capability, Russia responds with rhetoric but no major escalation, both sides eventually return to negotiations.
SCENARIO 3 — Major Crisis (Possible)
Trump sends Tomahawks, Ukraine strikes deep into Russia, Putin responds with his own escalation, conflict enters dangerous new phase before anyone can pull back.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Trump’s Patience Is Exhausted
Strip away the diplomatic niceties and here’s what Trump is really saying:
“Putin, you’ve had nine months to make a deal. You’ve refused every reasonable offer. You keep bombing Ukrainian cities every night. You won’t even talk to Zelenskyy directly.”
“So here’s your choice: negotiate seriously now, or watch Ukraine get weapons that can hit Moscow.”
It’s classic Trump negotiating: threaten the thing your opponent fears most, then offer them a way out.
Whether it works depends entirely on how seriously Putin takes the threat.
And based on the Kremlin’s “extreme concern” statement, they’re taking it very seriously indeed.
A senior Ukrainian delegation arrives in Washington this week for further discussions.
The world is about to find out if Trump is bluffing — or if Tomahawks are actually heading to Ukraine.
DEVELOPING STORY — Follow for updates as Trump’s Tomahawk threat reshapes the Ukraine conflict…