Ukraine: Pentagon approves Tomahawk missiles, but final decision rests with Trump

The Pentagon would have The White House has given the green light to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles. long-range, after having established that the operation would not compromise US strategic stockpiles. CNN reports this, citing three American and European officials familiar with the matter.

The final decision now rests with President Donald Trump., which in recent weeks had expressed reservations about sending missiles to Kiev. “We don't want to give up things we need to protect our country.”, he reportedly said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

According to military sources cited by the US broadcaster, The Joint Chiefs of Staff were due to present their assessment to the National Security Council in early October, just days before the two leaders met. Zelensky reportedly asked for Tomahawk missiles, with a range of about 1.600 kilometers, to strike energy facilities and fuel depots deep within Russian territory.

Trump's caution and the shadow of the Kremlin

The American president, who For months he has been trying to redefine the terms of support for Kiev, would have become more cautious after a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader reportedly warned him that a possible delivery of the Tomahawks would not change the course of the conflict, but it would risk compromising bilateral relations.

According to CNN, despite the president's caution, the administration has already prepared plans to proceed quickly with the delivery in case the political green light arrives.

Operational difficulties and pressure from Kiev

However, they remain technical knots to be untied. Tomahawk missiles are designed to be launched from ships or submarines, but the Ukrainian Navy is almost completely out of action. Among the options under consideration would be the use of land-based launchers, similar to those developed by the Marine Corps and the US Army.

European sources believe, however, that Kiev can find autonomous solutions, as already happened with the British Storm Shadow missiles, adapted to Soviet-made aircraft. In a message on X, Zelensky confirmed the goal of “expand long-range strike capability by the end of the year,” adding that “global sanctions and our military precision are aligning to end the war on fair terms for Ukraine”.