Military experts are weighing in after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine unless Russia moves toward ending the war soon. While the move could reshape the pressure dynamics on Moscow, analysts say these weapons won’t completely change the course of the conflict.
According to Russia expert Keir Giles, Ukraine has already prepared a “wishlist of targets” it would strike if Trump follows through on his warning. Giles told Express U.S. that Tomahawks could allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory than ever before reaching command centers, supply lines, and energy hubs that are beyond the range of Ukraine’s current weapons.
“Tomahawks would let Ukraine hit a wider range of targets behind the front lines,” Giles explained. “But for obvious reasons, Kyiv doesn’t share what’s on that target list.”
However, he also cautioned that Tomahawks alone aren’t enough. Ukraine must continue expanding its own weapons production capacity if it wants long-term stability and independence from foreign supplies.
Moscow’s Reaction: “Extreme Concern” but Limited Options
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the impact of potential Tomahawk deliveries, claiming they wouldn’t change the battlefield situation. His spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the issue “of extreme concern,” warning that it would mark a serious escalation.
Giles, however, suggested much of this is political posturing:
“Russia is already doing everything it can to deter Western aid to Ukraine,” he said. “Their threats are meant to scare countries out of giving Ukraine the weapons it needs.”
NATO and Allies Step Up
At a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, officials discussed ways to maintain the flow of weapons to Kyiv, as European military aid has dropped sharply since summer.
To compensate, European allies and Canada are now purchasing American-made weapons to keep Ukraine’s defenses strong.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to finalize the U.S.-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund, a partnership that would give American companies access to Ukraine’s critical mineral and energy resources.
Svyrydenko said the fund is just “a few key decisions away” from becoming fully operational and could soon back projects in minerals, energy, and infrastructure.
Ongoing Energy War
Both sides continue to target each other’s energy infrastructure in near-daily attacks.
Ukraine struck an oil terminal in Feodosia, in Russian-occupied Crimea, damaging 16 fuel reservoirs that had survived a previous assault. The facility is vital for supplying Russian forces in southern Ukraine.
In retaliation, Russia launched new attacks on Naftogaz Group’s power facilities, leading to blackouts across multiple regions. The strikes are seen as part of Moscow’s effort to cripple Ukraine’s power grid before winter.
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