Trump Hesitates Approving Tomahawk Missiles Transfer to Ukraine After Putin Call

The Pentagon has approved the transfer of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, concluding that it would not impact U.S. defense stockpiles, but the final decision lies with President Donald Trump. Trump expressed hesitancy about sending the missiles after a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned that such a move could severely damage bilateral relations. During a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump voiced concerns over U.S. military readiness and the potential strain on American defense resources, despite Zelenskyy's emphasis on Ukraine's need for long-range missile capabilities. While some European allies supported the Pentagon's assessment, operational challenges remain regarding Ukraine's ability to train and deploy the Tomahawk system effectively. Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and political analysts, warned that supplying these missiles would not aid conflict resolution and could escalate tensions. The situation reflects a significant recalibration of U.S. foreign policy, balancing military support for Ukraine with concerns about escalating the conflict and maintaining diplomatic relations with Russia.