President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met at a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday, August 15, 2025. During this meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, shared some positive news. He claimed that Donald Trump could play a crucial role in ending the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia by delivering long-awaited Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Ukraine has been desperately seeking the US’s permission to use these weapons for months now. However, their requests were constantly denied by former president Joe Biden during his time in office. These subsonic missiles are designed for precision strikes and have a range of up to 1,550 miles, allowing Ukraine to reach targets as far as Siberia.
Zelenskyy expressed renewed hope during a recent press conference, stating that Trump might “give Ukraine some far-reaching things” that would strengthen their position in future peace talks. He further added, “Right now, it is crucial to send a signal that Ukraine will be strengthened by all means possible. And Tomahawks are one of those means that are important to me.”
The Ukrainian president had previously raised this issue with Trump a year ago, even before he had won his second term in office. And now, Zelenskyy believes that Trump is considering their request, 12 months later. He disclosed that during their last meeting at the UN General Assembly, Trump had promised to work on a technical level and consider the possibility of delivering Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
In a recent statement, Trump revealed that he has “sort of made a decision” regarding the Tomahawks, but he still wants to “find out what they’re doing with them.” Zelenskyy also tried to motivate Trump by telling reporters that Ukraine would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize if he helps secure a ceasefire with Putin.
Trump has been vocal about his desire to receive the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, even claiming that he has settled “seven wars” since returning to office. However, this claim is up for dispute. The US president has been actively trying to broker peace in the Ukraine war, even offering to end the conflict on terms favorable to Putin. However, the Russian leader continued to drag his feet and refused to come to the negotiating table, causing Trump to gradually lose patience.
Finally, Trump is re-aligning the US with Ukraine and is taking steps to help them end the conflict. This has worried Putin, who has warned that delivering Tomahawks would be seen as an escalation in the war and could threaten US relations. These missiles can only be used with American permission, making it crucial for Ukraine to gain their support.
Zelenskyy also disclosed that if Russia resorts to their tactic of imposing blackouts on Ukrainian infrastructure, Ukraine would retaliate. Recently, they have expanded their capabilities and can now strike at Russian energy infrastructure. On October 5, Ukraine successfully damaged energy facilities in the Russian city of Belgorod, leaving almost 40,000 residents without electricity.
Zelenskyy asserted, “We told them they must understand: if they want to blackout us, we will do the same. [Russia] must feel the price of this war. But we are not killing civilians.” This statement shows Ukraine’s determination to defend themselves against Russia’s aggression.
Recently, there has been a lot of tension between the US and Russia, with many accusing Putin of trying to interfere in the 2024 US presidential election. However, with the possibility of Tomahawk missiles being delivered to Ukraine, Putin has been forced to take a step back. He knows that such a move would not only strengthen Ukraine’s position but would also force him to the negotiating table.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for more than three-and-a-half years now, causing countless civilian casualties and massive destruction. However, with Trump’s intervention and support, there is finally hope for peace in the region. Zelenskyy believes that Trump’s involvement could help “sober up” Putin and bring him to the negotiating table.
The prospect of receiving Tomahawk missiles and the potential for a ceasefire has also motivated Ukraine to take a stronger stance against Russia. They have started targeting their energy infrastructure, making it clear that they will not be backed into a corner by Russia’s aggressive tactics.
In conclusion, Trump’s support and involvement in the ongoing conflict between
