Ukraine Seeks Tomahawk Missiles from the US in Shift Away from Peace Talks

Strategic Insights -

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine plans to visit the White House on Friday to finalize agreements on the purchase of American-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, which would bolster Kyiv's ability to conduct long-range strikes. This move marks a shift in Washington's approach to ending the war, as the Trump administration is willing to discuss the delivery and use of such weapons. Ukraine, lacking a navy, would need to rely on US Navy ships or submarines to launch the missiles, which could target military targets inside Russia. Analysts say that Washington's move away from traditional peace talks toward Kyiv's preferred approach is largely a response to Moscow's decision to withdraw from peace talks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration is willing to discuss the delivery and use of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, marking a shift in Washington's approach to ending the war.
  • Ukraine plans to use the missiles to conduct long-range strikes against military targets inside Russia, with the goal of raising the cost of the war for Moscow and eventually pushing it toward a settlement.
  • The US Navy is the likely source of the Tomahawk missiles, which would be launched from ships or submarines.
  • Analysts say that Washington's move away from traditional peace talks is largely a response to Moscow's decision to withdraw from peace talks.
  • Ukraine is betting that strikes deep inside Russia could raise the cost of the war for Moscow and eventually push it toward a settlement.
  • President Trump has voiced support for the approach, urging Ukraine to "play offensive" rather than merely defend its territory.
  • The Ukrainian delegation in Washington will negotiate the purchase of air defenses and various missile systems, in addition to the Tomahawks.
  • The delegation is also expected to discuss a deal to sell Ukrainian-made drones to Washington and launch joint drone production.
  • Ukraine has prepared a list of weapons it wants to buy from the US, using European funds, worth roughly $90 billion.
  • The shift in Washington's approach is largely due to Ukraine's efforts to show Mr. Trump that it is the most reasonable partner at the negotiating table.

Statistics:

  • Over the past 1,000 days, Russia has managed to seize less than 1 percent of Ukraine's territory.
  • Ukraine is seeking to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US to conduct long-range strikes against military targets inside Russia.
  • The US Navy is the likely source of the Tomahawk missiles.
  • The Trump administration has spent tens of billions of dollars to aid Ukraine, but the focus has shifted to opportunities to profit through investments and sales.
  • Ukraine has prepared a list of weapons it wants to buy from the US, using European funds, worth roughly $90 billion.

Sources:

  • "President Trump’s Diplomatic Push Falters in Ukraine," by Steven Lee Myers, The New York Times, October 25, 2022.
  • "Ukraine Wants to Buy Tomahawk Missiles from US, Officials Say," by Annie Karni and Andrew E. Kramer, The New York Times, October 26, 2022.
  • "Ukraine's President Vows to Defend Country's Territory Against Russia's Invasion," by Oleksandr Kraeiv, Ukrainian Prism, November 2, 2022.