In a surprising policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the use of long-range missiles to target strategic sites within Russian territory. This decision, confirmed by Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Keith Kellogg, might signal a pivotal moment in the conflict that has dragged on for over three and a half years. "We must employ deep strike capabilities; there are no sanctuaries," Kellogg announced in a Monday interview with Fox News. Vance earlier suggested that the White House is contemplating supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range of 2,500 kilometers, potentially threatening Moscow and other Russian cities directly.
A Dramatic Shift in Trump's Stance
This move is particularly striking given Trump's previous criticism in August of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, expressing his anger over their effects on the Druzhba pipeline. However, Trump's rhetoric towards Vladimir Putin has grown increasingly severe in recent weeks. On September 25, he expressed strong dissatisfaction with Russia's actions, stating, "I'm very displeased with what Russia and President Putin are doing. He is killing people for no reason,” during a press conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky formally requested the Tomahawk missiles during a meeting with Trump at the United Nations General Assembly. Although immediate delivery has not been confirmed, sources cited by BBC and CNN reveal that the U.S. administration is considering selling the missiles to European allies, who would then transfer them to Kyiv.
The Strategic Importance of Tomahawk Missiles
Tomahawk missiles, first utilized in the 1991 Gulf War, are precision weapons developed in the 1980s. Their ability to alter targets mid-flight and penetrate air defenses makes them a highly strategic asset. Until now, only a select group of Washington's allies, such as the United Kingdom and Japan, have had access to them. According to an analysis by CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, providing Ukraine with these missiles would represent "a drastic escalation of Ukraine's capabilities," posing a new challenge for Russian defenses and potentially targeting key infrastructures in Moscow or Saint Petersburg.
Responses from Moscow and Kyiv
The Kremlin has responded cautiously. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian government's spokesperson, downplayed the threat, asserting that "there is no magic solution that can change the situation on the front for the Kyiv regime." Nevertheless, Western analysts agree that the news intensifies military and psychological pressure on Moscow.
In Kyiv, Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk told the BBC that the supply of long-range missiles would be crucial in forcing Russia to negotiate. "If the cost of continuing the war for Moscow becomes too high, they will be compelled to begin peace talks," he stated. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha was even more forceful at the Warsaw Security Forum. According to Ukrinform, the minister declared on Monday, "There will no longer be any safe place in Russian territory; our weapons will reach any military facility of the enemy."
An Escalating Conflict
The U.S. decision comes amid an intensification of the conflict. September witnessed a record number of Russian airstrikes against Ukraine, with over 5,600 drones and 187 missiles launched, according to the Kyiv Air Force's data reported by ABC News. These bombings resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, with Ukrainian energy infrastructure being a primary target once again.
Experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington warn that the war is entering a prolonged attrition phase, in which Moscow believes it can still endure despite significant military and economic losses. "The West must act accordingly and invest in Ukraine's capability to project force within Russian territory through long-range attacks," stated a report signed by Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya on Tuesday.
Uncertainty Over the "Final Decision"
Despite statements from Vance and Kellogg, the final decision remains with Trump, who has previously shown a tendency to halt measures that could lead to uncontrollable escalation. However, each new Russian attack on Ukrainian civilians and each violation of NATO airspace—such as recent incidents in Poland and Estonia—intensifies the pressure for Washington to deliver advanced weaponry.
What is clear is that the war has entered a new phase: with Ukraine increasingly able to strike within Russia, and a Kremlin that, despite its defiant rhetoric, faces mounting military, economic, and social fatigue.
Implications of U.S. Missile Authorization for Ukraine
Why is the U.S. supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine?
The U.S. is considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine to enhance its military capabilities and pressure Russia into negotiating peace, as these long-range weapons can directly threaten key Russian infrastructures.
How could this decision affect the conflict in Ukraine?
This decision could escalate the conflict by allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, potentially leading to increased military and psychological pressure on Moscow and altering the dynamics of the ongoing war.
What has been the response from Russia?
Russia has downplayed the threat, with government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserting that there is no magic solution that can change the situation on the front for Ukraine. However, Western analysts believe this increases pressure on Moscow.