The Pentagon has given the White House approval to send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, potentially fulfilling a promise by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Desire If President Trump gives the final go-ahead for more weapons in his country’s war with Russia, cnn Information was given on Friday.
Hill has contacted the White House and the Pentagon for confirmation. Department of Defense (DOD) approval is reportedly based on an assessment that providing Tomahawks will not negatively impact US stockpiles.
The Joint Staff delivered another assessment to the White House earlier this month informing Trump that European allies had determined there was no reason for the US not to send missiles, which came as a surprise when the President pushed against giving the missiles to Zelensky, two European officials told CNN.
“It’s not easy for us to give it away… You’re talking about a large number of very powerful weapons,” Trump said ahead of a meeting with Zelensky at the White House on October 17.
Trump told Zelensky he would not give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, at least not yet, CNN reports.
The following week, Zelensky emphasized his discussion with Trump about the missiles as “a major investment in diplomacy – we forced Russia to reveal that Tomahawks are actually the card they take seriously.”
Zelensky has argued that not being provided with Tomahawk missiles has reduced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interest in diplomacy with Ukraine.
“The front line could spark diplomacy. Instead, Russia continues to do everything to get out of diplomacy, and as soon as for us – for Ukraine – the issue of long-range capabilities became less urgent, Russia’s interest in diplomacy almost automatically decreased,” Zelensky. said during a daily Video address earlier this month. “It signals that this very issue – the issue of our deep strike capabilities – may be an indispensable key to peace.”
The missiles are designed to travel at high, subsonic speeds and low altitudes to better dodge radar, giving Ukraine much greater capability and range to target Russian military posts and energy facilities inside the country. Military experts had earlier told Hill.
Russia has warned the US against sending missiles to Ukraine, arguing that it would represent a major escalation. The Kremlin is currently using self-made missiles in addition to missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran.
