Pentagon Clears Tomahawks for Ukraine as Trump Declines Transfer for Now

Overview

• The Joint Chiefs concluded a transfer would not deplete U.S. stocks and delivered their assessment to the White House earlier this month.
• After a call in which Vladimir Putin warned the weapons could reach Moscow and St. Petersburg, Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky privately that the missiles would not be provided for now.
• European officials say the Pentagon’s green light reduces Washington’s grounds to refuse, increasing allied pressure for a political decision.
• Tomahawks have a range of about 1,600 kilometers, and U.S. Army and Marine Corps land-based launchers exist that could enable Ukrainian use.
• The administration has contingency plans to deliver quickly if Trump authorizes a transfer as officials continue to work through training, targeting and deployment details.