Overview
- The Joint Staff concluded the transfer would not weaken U.S. stockpiles and relayed its assessment to the White House in early October.
- During a Washington meeting, Trump publicly emphasized that the U.S. needs the missiles and privately told Volodymyr Zelensky the answer was not yet.
- Officials say Trump’s shift followed a call in which Vladimir Putin warned Tomahawks could reach major Russian cities and damage U.S.–Russia relations.
- Administration plans for rapid delivery are prepared, yet training, launcher availability and integration for Ukrainian forces remain open questions.
- Ukraine is seeking roughly 1,000‑mile Tomahawks to strike oil and energy targets deep inside Russia to expand its long‑range reach.