Trump Refuses to Supply Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine to ‘Avoid Escalation’

Darwin, 18 October-

U.S. President Donald Trump has declined Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk cruise missiles, saying such a move could “increase tensions” in the ongoing war with Russia, according to a report by the BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Trump at the White House, where the two leaders discussed long-range missile systems. However, Trump made it clear that he is not ready to provide the missiles at this stage.

After the meeting, Zelensky told reporters that he and Trump had an in-depth discussion on long-range weapons but agreed not to make any public statement on the matter, as “the United States does not want to escalate the situation.”

Shortly after the talks, Trump posted on social media that both Kyiv and Moscow should “stop where they are” and bring the war to an end.

Just a day earlier, Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone and discussed plans for an upcoming meeting in Hungary.

Speaking to journalists at the White House on Friday, President Trump said, “I hope Ukraine won’t need these missiles. We can end this war — without the Tomahawks.” He added, “America needs these weapons too.”

The U.S. president emphasized that sending such missiles would create “a kind of provocation,” though he admitted that “the issue remains open for discussion.”

When asked whether the prospect of Tomahawk missiles prompted Putin’s decision to meet him, Trump replied, “That’s a good kind of threat, but it’s always there.”

During the meeting, Zelensky proposed that Ukraine could supply drones to the U.S. in exchange for Tomahawk missiles — a suggestion that reportedly made Trump smile and nod in response.

Zelensky also praised Trump’s diplomatic role in achieving peace agreements in the Middle East, saying the U.S. could use that same experience to help end the war with Russia.

When questioned by journalists afterward about whether Putin truly seeks peace or is simply buying time, Zelensky said, “I don’t know.”

He added that merely the possibility of Ukraine acquiring Tomahawks had already “frightened Russia,” as the missiles are “a powerful weapon.” Before leaving Washington, Zelensky remarked, “I’m not optimistic — I’m realistic.”

Zelensky believes that if Ukraine were to use Tomahawk missiles to target Russia’s oil and energy infrastructure, it could significantly weaken Putin’s war economy.

Although Trump had recently shown some flexibility regarding the sale of Tomahawk missiles, Putin has warned that such a move would push U.S.-Russia relations into a deeper crisis.