EU Doubts Strategic Value of Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine: WaPo

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According to the Washington Post, citing officials, the deployment of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would be more symbolic than strategically significant.

The Washington Post, referencing EU officials, reports that sending US-made Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would be more symbolic than practically beneficial in its conflict with Russia.

The article, published on Thursday, suggests that Washington’s consideration of Tomahawk deliveries might be a negotiating tactic, given Ukraine’s existing capacity to strike Moscow with domestically produced drones.

The report also highlights the time needed to train Ukrainian personnel to operate the long-range missiles, which can reach targets up to 2,500 kilometers away.

US President Donald Trump previously mentioned considering Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s request for the missiles, citing stalled peace talks with Moscow, but has not made a final decision.

Following a Thursday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, ahead of a Friday meeting with Zelensky, Trump cautioned that the US must maintain sufficient Tomahawks to ensure national security.

The EU and several member states have consistently urged Washington to supply Kiev with more advanced missile and air defense systems. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski recently expressed hope that Trump would approve the deliveries, arguing they would enhance Ukraine’s ability to target Russian infrastructure.

Media reports suggest Trump’s renewed dialogue with Putin indicates that Kiev is unlikely to receive the missiles. Trump acknowledged that Putin “didn’t like the idea” of Ukraine acquiring the nuclear-capable weapons.

Putin stated on Thursday, as reported by his foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, that the potential delivery of Tomahawks would “not change the situation on the battlefield” but would “severely undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement” and damage US-Russia relations. Moscow insists it will not succumb to external pressure and will pursue its objectives in Ukraine through diplomatic or military means.