The United States is evaluating Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles to bolster its defense against Russian aggression, according to Vice President JD Vance. During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Vance stated, “We’re certainly looking at a number of requests from the Europeans,” emphasizing the significance of European support in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly discussed the missile request with Donald Trump during a meeting at the U.N. General Assembly last week. The Trump administration has previously established a framework for selling military equipment to Ukraine, with the understanding that European NATO countries would finance these purchases. Vance reiterated that the U.S. is considering this missile sale as part of that broader strategy.
Implications of the Tomahawk Missile Sale
The U.S.-made Tomahawk missile has an impressive range of approximately 1,500 miles, allowing for potential strikes deep within Russian territory, including Moscow. Vance noted that the sale of these weapons would encourage European nations to take a more active role in the conflict, stating, “What we’re doing is asking the Europeans to buy that weaponry that shows some European skin in the game.”
Following the statements from U.S. officials, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, expressed concern over the implications of the potential missile deliveries. He remarked, “Moscow has heard Washington’s statements about possible Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine and is carefully analyzing them.” Peskov raised questions about who would be responsible for firing the missiles, whether it would be American forces or Ukrainian personnel.
Escalation of Military Actions
The backdrop of this discussion is marked by intensified military actions in Ukraine. On March 17, 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that over 600 drones and missiles targeted various locations across the country in one of the largest aerial assaults since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The attacks resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injured many others, underscoring the urgent need for Ukraine to enhance its defensive capabilities.
In light of these developments, U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg articulated the necessity for Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes against Russia. He stated, “There are no such things as sanctuaries in war,” affirming that Ukraine should utilize its potential to strike deep into enemy territory.
As the conflict continues, Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s reluctance to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, he criticized Russia’s military efforts, suggesting that the conflict should have concluded much sooner. “Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win,” Trump wrote.
The situation remains fluid as the U.S. administration weighs the potential sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, an action that could significantly alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.