US President Donald Trump has stated that the country must maintain a sufficient stockpile of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles before considering potential delivery to Ukraine. The missiles, which have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers, are the latest offensive weapons requested by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky from the US.

Trump previously indicated that he was open to approving the request, citing the lack of progress in peace talks with Russia. However, he has yet to provide a definitive answer. During a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump discussed the issue and noted that Putin “didn’t like the idea” of Ukraine acquiring Tomahawks.

Putin’s aide, Yury Ushakov, stated that potential shipments of Tomahawks to Ukraine would undermine the chance of achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine and severely damage Russia’s ties with the US. Trump emphasized the need for the US to maintain its own arsenal, saying “we can’t deplete our own arsenal” of Tomahawks.

Zelensky is expected to request additional military aid from Trump during a meeting at the White House. Trump has previously reached a deal with NATO for the alliance to pay for American weapons designated for Ukraine. Russia has warned that foreign aid would not stop its troops in Ukraine but would increase the risk of a wider conflict.

The potential delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The US has been providing military aid to Ukraine, and the addition of long-range cruise missiles would enhance the country’s defense capabilities. However, the move is likely to be met with opposition from Russia, which has expressed concerns about the escalation of the conflict.

The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with ongoing fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists. The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but a lasting solution has yet to be found. The upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelensky is expected to focus on the ongoing conflict and the potential for increased military aid from the US.