Big worry for Putin, Ukraine’s PM Zelenskyy asks Trump for this deadly weapon, has range of 1600 km, it is…

US President Doland Trump has emerged as a major supporter of Ukraine, offering both political support and strategic involvement in the ongoing war with Russia. According to an Axios report on Friday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought Tomahawk missiles from US President Doland Trump this week in order to compel Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace, as cited by Reuters.

Who did Zelensky meet to request Tomahawk missiles?

The Ukrainian request occurred during a meeting between US President Doland Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, according to the report, which cited a Ukrainian official and another official conversant with the discussions. In a separate interview with Axios, taped on Wednesday, Zelenskyy confirmed that he did request long-range weapons.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested Tomahawk cruise missiles in a closed-door meeting with Trump. These missiles can hit targets about 1,600 kilometers away, meaning missiles that Ukraine receives could hit Moscow directly. Several other media reports claim that Trump paid attention to Zelensky’s request and provided positive signs. While he did not commit to a specific promise, Zelensky says Trump told him, “We will work on it.”

What is the range and capability of the Tomahawk missiles requested by Ukraine?

Tomahawk missiles are regarded as some of the most powerful weapons in modern warfare. Each missile’s payload weighs almost 450 kilograms and can be fired under any conditions – weather or geography. While Western countries have provided Ukraine with some high-tech weapons, Tomahawk missiles would be far more powerful. If Zelensky’s forces receive these missiles, the weapons would possibly tip the battlefield balance against Russia.

Thus far, Russia has conducted long-range strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In other words, even if Ukraine has some weapons to retaliate, they are less sophisticated than a Tomahawk missile. Signing such weapons over to Ukraine would allow Ukraine to strike back at the same range, and possibly change the entire conflict.

What are the potential risks of supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles?

The most important point is that the Trump administration has cut a deal with European governments to share the cost of supplying U.S. weapons. That means that it’s a decision not just Washington’s alone–NATO’s collective support would play a significant role in the approval of this request.

If Ukraine receives Tomahawk missiles, it would be the first time that Russia would feel that Moscow, the Kremlin, and its primary military sites were facing a direct risk. The pressure placed upon Russia could also help convince Putin to negotiate. That said, this step would also increase the risk of a nuclear confrontation. The United States and Europe are already struggling with this conundrum: if Ukraine is given weapons with this range, Russia could point to “escalation” as justification to threaten the use of nuclear options.

Zelensky had asked the Biden administration the same question as part of his “Victory Plan,” which included Tomahawk missiles. However, Biden denied this request, citing the risk. Trump seems more flexible in this area now. This could change not just the U.S. politics, but also the direction of global geopolitics.