In a development that could dramatically reshape the military and diplomatic landscape of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the United States is actively considering whether to supply Kyiv with Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. This decision, which has been the subject of intensive debate in Washington over the past week, ultimately rests with President Donald Trump, according to a series of statements made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and widely reported across international media outlets, including Fox News and The Kyiv Independent.
The issue burst into public view after a high-profile meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2025. During the meeting, Zelensky made a direct appeal for the Tomahawk missiles—a weapons system capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow. According to the Telegraph, Zelensky argued that these advanced strike capabilities could pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into meaningful peace negotiations, a view echoed by multiple Ukrainian officials and sources close to the talks.
Despite repeated appeals from Kyiv for long-range weapons throughout the conflict, the United States has so far declined to provide such systems. However, Vice President Vance confirmed in a Fox News interview on September 28 that the matter is now under serious consideration. "You asked this question about Tomahawks. It's something the president is going to make the final determination on. What the president is going to do is what's in the best interest for the United States of America," Vance told Fox News. "I know we're having conversations this very minute about the issue."
Vance’s remarks underscored a broader shift in U.S. policy under Trump’s administration. He emphasized that while the U.S. remains committed to supporting Ukraine, there is an increasing expectation that European allies carry a fair share of the burden. "Thanks to the president’s leadership, Europeans are now buying weapons from the United States, rather than receiving them directly from us," Vance explained, as quoted by Mezha. "We are no longer just providing huge amounts of money and weapons. We are asking Europeans to buy these weapons. This shows that Europeans are also in this game."
The potential delivery of Tomahawk missiles is being weighed against a backdrop of diplomatic frustration. As of late September 2025, Russia has continued to refuse both bilateral and trilateral peace talks brokered by President Trump or involving the United States, according to Vance and reports from Novinite. "What we've seen over the last couple of weeks, the Russians have refused to sit down with any bilateral meetings with the Ukrainians. They've refused to sit down with any trilateral meetings where the president or some other member of the administration could sit down with the Russians and the Ukrainians," Vance told Fox News.
This intransigence has stoked growing irritation within the White House. Vance did not mince words about the cost of Moscow’s approach, highlighting Russia’s significant troop losses and lack of meaningful territorial advances. "The Russians are not gaining a lot. This war is terrible for their economy, and they have to ask themselves how many more people are they going to have to lose and how many more people are they going to have to kill for very little military advantage," Vance said. He added pointedly, "We hope the Russians actually wake up to reality on the ground."
For Ukraine, the stakes could hardly be higher. Zelensky and his team have argued that Tomahawk missiles would not only enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, but also strengthen its bargaining position in any future negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga, who was present at the UN General Assembly, noted that the meeting with Trump also addressed the broader issue of lifting the taboo on supplying certain classes of weapons to Ukraine—a longstanding friction point in Western policy toward the conflict.
While the final decision remains pending, the very prospect of Tomahawk deliveries has already sent ripples through the region. Analysts suggest that such a move could alter the military balance, enabling Ukraine to strike strategic targets far behind Russian lines and potentially compelling the Kremlin to reconsider its refusal to negotiate. As Pryamim reported, Zelensky himself stressed that the presence of Tomahawks in Ukraine’s arsenal could force the Kremlin to the negotiating table.
The debate over the Tomahawks comes at a time when the U.S. has already ramped up its support for Ukraine through new NATO-financed programs. In recent weeks, Trump has overseen the implementation of the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which has included the delivery of Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS rocket launchers—both vital for Ukraine’s ongoing defense.
Yet, the question of whether to send Tomahawk missiles is fraught with political and strategic complexities. Vance, speaking candidly to Fox News, acknowledged that the administration must weigh not only the military benefits but also the international consequences and the political climate at home. "Any decisions will be made taking into account all political, strategic and international factors," he said.
The European dimension of the conflict has also come into sharper focus. Vance pointed out that European nations are now more actively purchasing U.S. weapons, marking a shift from the earlier practice of direct military aid. This growing European involvement is seen as essential not only for Ukraine’s defense but also for maintaining unity among Western allies as the war drags on.
While the world waits for Trump’s final determination, the situation on the ground remains tense. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused NATO and the European Union of waging a "real war" against Russia through their support for Ukraine, according to Novinite. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has backed Poland and Estonia’s call for urgent consultations following recent Russian airspace violations, underscoring the conflict’s potential to escalate beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Against this volatile backdrop, the U.S. administration’s next move—whether to supply Tomahawk missiles—could mark a turning point in the war and in the broader contest between Russia and the West. As Vance summed up, "Our position is clear: we are going to keep working for peace, but the Russians must recognize the reality on the ground." The coming weeks may reveal whether advanced weaponry will shift that reality—or whether the deadlock will persist, with consequences for Ukraine, Russia, and the world.
As the debate continues, all eyes remain on Washington, where the decision now sits on President Trump’s desk—a choice that could reshape the conflict’s trajectory in unforeseen ways.