The US-Ukraine-Russia triangle is at a critical juncture, and Trump's words are raising eyebrows. President Donald Trump's recent statements have sparked intense speculation about the potential provision of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
During a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump kept the option of supplying Ukraine with these powerful weapons on the table, according to sources. This revelation is intriguing, considering Trump's upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
But here's the twist: Trump is unlikely to promise these game-changing missiles during the meeting, sources say. However, they caution that Trump's decisions are unpredictable when he's alone with the Ukrainians.
In recent weeks, Trump has shown a surprising openness to Ukraine acquiring the long-range missiles. US officials revealed that the administration has even prepared plans to deliver the weapons if Trump gives the green light, emphasizing that he can make this call whenever he deems fit.
Trump's hesitation stems from wanting to understand Zelensky's strategy for using these missiles. Zelensky's team believes these weapons, with their 1,000-mile range, could be a game-changer against Russia. They see it as a powerful threat that might force Putin back into negotiations.
And it seems to have worked, but the path to a peace agreement remains unclear. As Zelensky prepares to meet Trump in Washington, Putin makes a desperate move, pleading with Trump to stop any plans to send these lethal missiles to Kyiv.
Trump's response? A promise to meet in Budapest soon, buying Moscow some time. But he didn't back down from his military threats. Trump even joked about offering Ukraine thousands of Tomahawks, a move Putin didn't appreciate.
The Trump administration sees this as a strategic leverage play. They argue that the threat of Tomahawks is a diplomatic tool to end the war. But Putin has a different view, claiming they won't affect the battlefield much but could strain US-Russian ties.
Here's where it gets controversial: Some US officials worry about escalation, while others believe previous 'escalatory' moves didn't significantly impact the conflict. So, the question remains: Will Trump provide the Tomahawks, and if so, what will it mean for the war and international relations?
