Major tension for Putin as Pentagon approves supply of deadly Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Donald Trump to…

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s persistent efforts to acquire long-range “Tomahawk” missiles appear to be inching closer to reality. The Pentagon has already given its green light to the proposal, paving the way for the transfer of the powerful weapons system to Kyiv. However, ultimately, the decision now lies with President Doland Trump, who will decide whether to move forward with the deal.

Who is behind the decision to send Tomahawks to Ukraine?

As per a Reuters report, citing three U.S. and European officials familiar with the matter, the Pentagon has greenlighted a plan to transfer long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine after assessing that it would not affect U.S. military stockpiles. The ultimate political decision rests with President Doland Trump, who will ultimately decide whether to move forward with the transfer.

What makes the Tomahawk missiles so significant?

Earlier this month, during a working lunch at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, United States President Doland Trump claimed that he was initially reluctant to provide the missiles to Ukraine, saying, “We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country.”

According to the CNN report, the Joint Staff provided its assessment to the White House earlier this month, before President Trump met with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who asked for the missiles to improve targeting of oil and energy facilities located deep in Russia. Tomahawk missiles have a range of approximately 1,000 miles.

Two European officials stated that the assessment provided a morale boost to Washington’s European partners, who now believe the United States has little reason to withhold the missiles from Kyiv. Only a few days before he met with Zelenskyy, President Trump had stated that the United States had “a lot of Tomahawks” that could be considered for supplying to Ukraine. However, US President Trump’s stance completely changed—by 180 degrees—after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

What impact could this have on U.S.-Russia relations?

A significant change in his decision came only a day after he spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned that Tomahawk missiles could reach major Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. As per a CNN report, Putin argued that sending the missiles would have little effect on the battlefield but could severely strain U.S.-Russia relations.

Furthermore, the report stated that President Trump has now put the decision on hold, even though the Pentagon has completed operational preparations; if ordered, the missiles could be dispatched within hours.

Although the Pentagon has indicated that U.S. stockpiles would not be affected, defense officials are still deliberating how Ukraine would train on the operation and deployment of the missiles, according to officials, as cited by CNN. There are still a number of practical and operational issues that need to be worked through before Ukraine would be able to use the Tomahawks effectively, the officials also said.

One significant question is how Ukraine would utilize the missiles if the US provides them. Tomahawks are typically hosted on surface ships or submarines; however, Ukraine’s Navy is in such poor condition that the missiles would have to be launched from land. The Marine Corps and Army have created ground-based launchers that would be suitable for Ukraine.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Tomahawk missiles are regarded as some of the most powerful weapons in modern warfare.
2. Each missile’s payload weighs almost 450 kilograms and can be fired under any conditions.
3. The Pentagon has already given its green light to the proposal, paving the way for the transfer of the powerful weapons system to Kyiv.
4. The ultimate political decision rests with President Doland Trump, who will ultimately decide whether to move forward with the transfer.

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. Tomahawk missiles are regarded as some of the most powerful weapons in modern warfare.