Washington: The United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) has formally approved the provision of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, marking a potential escalation in Washington’s military support to Kyiv amid its ongoing war with Russia. According to U.S. media reports, the final decision on whether to proceed with the transfer will rest with President Donald Trump, who has yet to authorize the delivery.

Senior American and European officials confirmed that the Pentagon has informed the White House that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would not negatively affect U.S. defense reserves or readiness. “Our stockpiles are sufficient, and providing a limited number of Tomahawks will not compromise U.S. national security,” one official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

However, President Trump has recently signaled hesitation regarding the move. During his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump reportedly stated that he did not intend to provide Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, citing concerns over potential escalation with Russia. The discussion came just a day after Trump had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Putin warned that the deployment of such missiles could have serious consequences for U.S.-Russia relations.

Russian Warnings and Diplomatic Tensions

According to diplomatic sources, Putin told Trump that Tomahawk missiles, due to their long range, could reach major Russian cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, and that their delivery to Ukraine would be viewed as a provocative and destabilizing act. Moscow has repeatedly accused Washington of fueling the conflict by supplying advanced Western weaponry to Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokespersons have also issued statements in recent weeks warning that the introduction of long-range U.S. missiles could cross a “red line,” potentially prompting retaliatory measures.

A Weapon of Precision and Range

The Tomahawk cruise missile, first introduced into U.S. military service in 1983, is one of the most advanced and battle-tested weapons in America’s arsenal. It is capable of traveling more than 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) and can strike targets with high precision. The missile can be launched from naval ships or submarines, making it a versatile option for long-range offensive operations.