NATURAL NEWS

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky formally asked U.S. President Donald Trump to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking deep into Russian territory, to pressure President Vladimir Putin into peace negotiations.
• During a meeting at the United Nations, Trump expressed openness to relaxing restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. long-range weapons but did not commit to reversing the ban.
• Zelensky emphasized that possessing such missiles could serve as a deterrent, potentially compelling Russia to negotiate, without necessarily using them.
• Experts caution that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks could escalate the conflict, potentially provoking a broader war.
• As of now, there has been no official change in U.S. policy regarding the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed in an interview with Axios that on Tuesday he had formally asked U.S. President Donald Trump to furnish Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory—potentially reaching Moscow—in an attempt to force Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace negotiations.

On "The Axios Show," Zelensky said he had asked Trump for "one thing" that could help Ukraine win the war. "By the way, we need it, but it doesn't mean that we will use it. Because if we will have it, I think it's additional pressure on Putin to sit and speak," he stated, suggesting the deterrent effect of possessing long‑range strike capability. Zelensky did not explicitly name the Tomahawk in the interview, but later confirmed to Axios—and was backed by sources—that the system under discussion was indeed the Tomahawk missile.

According to Axios and Reuters, a Ukrainian official and a separate source familiar with the Trump‑Zelensky meeting corroborated the request was for Tomahawk missiles. The Tomahawk would significantly extend Ukraine's strike radius—with a range over 1,000 miles—compared with the U.S. ATACMS system already delivered, which has a range closer to 200 miles.

Media outlets have reported that similar requests were previously made to the Biden White House—notably as part of a 10‑point "Victory Plan" submitted by Zelensky—but were declined amid fears that enabling strikes into Moscow would escalate the conflict. In his interview, Zelensky said Trump told him during their meeting, "we will work on it."

Trump hints at easing U.S. limits on Ukraine's long‑range strikes

The Wall Street Journal later reported that Trump, during a sideline meeting at the United Nations, expressed that he was "open" to relaxing restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. long‑range weapons in Russia, though he made no binding commitment to reverse the ban. U.S. and Ukrainian officials described the discussion as exploratory, with Trump indicating he did not oppose the idea—but also refraining from making any definite promise.

Zelensky also used the Axios interview to warn Russian officials: "They have to know where their bomb shelters are. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case." He framed the Tomahawk request as a possible deterrent rather than a guaranteed operational weapon, arguing that just possessing the missiles might change Moscow's calculus.

However, many analysts and critics caution that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks introduces significant escalation risks. Allowing strikes on high-value Russian targets in the capital might provoke a wider retaliation or even cross thresholds that draw in other actors. Supporters of the proposal contend that expanding Kyiv's deterrent reach could yield negotiating leverage—if used judiciously or not used at all.

As of now, no formal U.S. policy shift has been announced. The debate over whether to supply Ukraine with such far‑reaching strike systems remains fraught, balancing the goal of strengthening Kyiv's hand against the danger of triggering a broader conflict.

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, Zelensky's call for $175 billion in military aid, including Tomahawk missiles, is a desperate plea for survival, but it also highlights the extent to which Ukraine has been pushed into a corner by Russia's aggression. While the U.S. and NATO have provided significant support, the request for such advanced weaponry underscores the critical need for a more robust and immediate response to protect Ukraine and its people from further Russian aggression. However, the sustainability and effectiveness of such a request remain questionable, given the broader geopolitical and economic implications.

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