Trump, Zelenskyy discuss Tomahawk sales to Ukraine during phone call — Axios
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the potential sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine during a Sunday phone call, including how many units might be needed, Axios reported, citing sources.
According to the outlet's sources, the call lasted about 40 minutes. In addition to Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also on the line.
One of the publication's sources said after the call that Trump "really delved into this matter and is very helpful." However, Axios noted, no final decision has yet been made on supplying these missiles.
On Monday, while speaking to reporters, Trump said he could transfer long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Russia refuses to end the war. He added that he might speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about it.
"Do they [Russia] want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so. I think I might speak to Russia about that, in all fairness. I told that to President Zelenskyy, because Tomahawks are a new step of aggression. You understand that... Yeah, I might tell him that if the war is not settled, that we may very well—we may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up. I want to see the war settled," Trump said.
Tomahawks for Ukraine
On October 11, the Ukrainian and American presidents spoke by phone. Zelenskyy called the conversation "good" and "very productive," saying that if Trump succeeds in stopping the war between Israel and Hamas, "then other wars can definitely be stopped too, including this Russian war."
As Axios reported, Zelenskyy raised the issue of providing Ukraine with long-range American Tomahawk missiles again during that call.
The Telegraph reported that Zelenskyy asked Trump for Tomahawk missiles during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. As Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted, the discussion there was about lifting "any taboos" on arms supplies.
Afterward, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington is discussing the possibility of transferring Tomahawks to NATO for eventual provision to Ukraine. The final decision, however, rests with Trump.
The American president himself has said he has "seemingly" already decided on the missile supplies. But first, he wants to ask Ukraine "a few questions" about what targets it plans to use the American weapons on, he said.
Following that, Russian leader Vladimir Putin threatened that a potential transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine would lead to the destruction of relations between Washington and Moscow.
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