President Trump said he told Ukrainian president Zelensky during their call on Sunday that he might give Russian President Putin a new ultimatum to resume serious peace talks or else the U.S. will provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Why it matters: Tomahawks would give Ukraine the ability to strike deep inside Russia — including Moscow — and the Ukrainians argue they would help force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
- Trump spoke on Saturday and again on Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky and they discussed the possibility of Ukraine obtaining Tomahawk long-range missiles, according to two sources with knowledge.
- The sources said no final decision has been made, but the parties made progress in their negotiations on this issue.
What he's saying: Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to the Middle East on Sunday that he talked with Zelensky about the weapons Ukraine needs, like Patriots air defense systems and long-range Tomahawk missiles.
- "I might have to speak to Russia about Tomahawks. Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so. I told that to President Zelensky, because Tomahawks are a new step of aggression. I might talk to [Putin]," Trump said.
- "I might say, 'Look, if this war is not gonna get settled I may send them Tomahawks.' Russia doesn't need that. I think it is appropriate to bring that up."
Driving the news: Saturday's call lasted around 30 minutes, one source said. Zelensky described it in a statement as "very positive and productive."
- Zelensky congratulated Trump on the Gaza peace deal and said if that war could be ended "then surely other wars can be stopped as well, including the Russian war."
- "I informed President Trump about Russia's attacks on our energy system — and I appreciate his willingness to support us. We discussed opportunities to bolster our air defense, as well as concrete agreements that we are working on to ensure this," Zelensky wrote.
- "There are good options and solid ideas on how to truly strengthen us. There needs to be readiness on the Russian side to engage in real diplomacy—this can be achieved through strength."
- A White House official confirmed the call took place.
The latest: On Sunday, Trump and Zelensky spoke again for 40 minutes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials were also on the line, two sources with knowledge of the call said.
- During the call, Trump discussed with Zelensky in detail Ukraine's weapons supply status, the situation of its energy sector ahead of winter and its air defense arsenal, especially Patriot systems.
- "Trump really got into the weeds and he is very helpful," one source said.
- The two sources said Trump and Zelensky continued their discussion about the parameters for the selling of Tomahawk long range missiles to NATO countries who will supply them to Ukraine, how many are needed and how these missiles would be used.
- "We covered all the aspects of the situation: defense of life in our country, strengthening our capabilities – in air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities. We also discussed many details related to the energy sector. President Trump is well informed about everything that is happening", Zelensky wrote on X.
State of play: Trump said Monday that he has "sort of made a decision" about selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to NATO countries in order for them to be supplied to Ukraine.
- Trump said he wants to know what the Ukrainians plan to do with the missiles before he supplies them.
- Zelensky asked Trump for Tomahawks during their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month. He told Axios that Ukraine might not even need to use them, because simply having them could be enough to force Putin to negotiate.
- The U.S.-made cruise missiles have a much longer range than the missiles Ukraine has received thus far, and are better able to strike hard targets like arms depots than the drones Ukraine currently uses for long-range strikes.
The other side: Russian President Putin said on Sunday that the supply of Tomahawks to Ukraine would be a "completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation."
What to watch: A senior Ukrainian delegation headed by Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is expected to arrive in Washington on Tuesday to discuss security cooperation, the Tomahawk missiles and sanctions against Russia, Ukrainian officials say.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from President Trump and confirmation from a White House official.
