Trump Warns Russia: Settle Ukraine War or Face Long-Range Tomahawk Missiles

President Donald Trump warned Russia on October 12, 2025 that he may provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow refuses to settle the war, marking a significant escalation in U.S. support for Kyiv's defense efforts.
President Trump said he told Ukrainian President Zelensky during their call on Sunday that he might give Russian President Putin a new ultimatum to resume serious peace talks or else the U.S. will provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles Hamas releases all 20 living hostages held in Gaza for more than 2 years. Axios Image President Donald Trump said he'd consider arming Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles that would allow strikes deeper into Russia, but said he may first talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it in a bid to end the war Israel accuses Hamas of violating deal as group returning only 4 bodies; Trump, Sissi, others sign Gaza agreement at Egypt summit | The Times of Israel. The announcement came as Trump traveled on Air Force One to the Middle East on Monday for talks on the Gaza ceasefire deal. President Trump said on Monday that he has "sort of made a decision" about selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to NATO countries in order for them to be supplied to Ukraine Live updates: Israel-Gaza war; Hostages released as Trump addresses Israeli parliament | CNN. The missiles have a range of up to 1,000 miles, which would allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. A supply of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would help "push Russia back," the foreign minister of NATO ally Estonia told ABC News living Israeli hostages released by Hamas as part of Gaza .... The potential transfer represents a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the ongoing conflict. The warning is part of a concerted Russian effort to deter President Donald Trump from giving Ukraine access to the missiles, repeating a tactic Moscow has used throughout the war The final 20 living hostages released from Gaza | The Times of Israel. Russia has previously warned that providing such weapons would cross a "red line" and could lead to further escalation. The decision comes after nearly four years of war in Ukraine following Russia's invasion in February 2022. Previously, under the Biden administration, the U.S. restricted Kyiv from using American weapons to strike Russian territory to avoid escalation with Putin. Trump's approach represents a potential turning point in Western support for Ukraine, using the threat of advanced weaponry as leverage to push Russia toward peace negotiations. The president has repeatedly stated his commitment to ending the war quickly, suggesting this ultimatum is part of his broader diplomatic strategy. Military analysts suggest that Tomahawk missiles could be a game-changer in the conflict, giving Ukraine the ability to strike Russian military infrastructure, supply lines, and command centers far behind the front lines. The international community is closely watching Trump's next moves, as the decision could fundamentally alter the dynamics of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and potentially influence the trajectory toward either escalation or negotiated settlement.