The proposal for the US to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles is intended to put pressure on negotiations.
Former military adviser Dan Rice lobbied Washington to supply Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of 4,000 km, in order to change the course of the war and put pressure on Russia.
In the latest effort to bolster Ukraine's deterrence capabilities, a group of advisers and experts in Washington is pushing the U.S. administration to supply Kyiv with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The goal of this proposal is to create enough strategic pressure to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
High-level meeting and strategic weapons proposal
At the heart of this campaign is Dan Rice, president of the American University in Kyiv and former special advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Rice recently met privately with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to discuss the military situation and Ukraine's military needs.
During the meeting, Mr. Rice confirmed that he had directly requested the United States to supply a small number of ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles. This type of weapon is capable of striking deep into Russian territory, far exceeding the capabilities of the systems currently possessed by Ukraine.
According to Rice's argument, if Russia does not accept peace terms, President Donald Trump is likely to approve this weapon. He believes that even a limited number of Tomahawk missiles, if successfully deployed, would create immense pressure on the Kremlin.
The difference between tactical and strategic warfare.
Analyzing the effectiveness of long-range weapons, Rice cited the precedent of the ATACMS system. When Ukraine first used ATACMS in late 2023, Russia had to immediately withdraw its air force from Crimea and adjust its entire operational plan. However, ATACMS is primarily tactical, with a range of approximately 300 km.
Conversely, the Tomahawk is classified as a strategic weapon with a range of up to 4,000 km. With this capability, Ukraine could threaten high-value targets in Moscow from launch sites in Kyiv. The Tomahawk's power lies not only in its destructive force but also in the uncertainty and psychological pressure it creates for enemy defenses.
Overcoming political obstacles in Washington
Rice argued that the biggest challenge to equipping the military with the Tomahawk is overcoming "political hurdles." The history of military aid shows that systems like HIMARS, Abrams tanks, and F-16 fighters were all subjects of intense controversy before being approved.
Currently, there is a division within the US administration on this issue:
- Cautious group:There are concerns that long-range attacks deep into Russian territory would undermine diplomatic efforts and lead to an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict.
- Support group:This proposal is believed to align with President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" negotiating style.
Although the Pentagon and the White House have not yet issued an official response, the idea of equipping the US Congress with Tomahawk missiles is gradually becoming a serious topic of discussion. Supporters are calling on Europe to participate in funding the program to increase the feasibility of future arms transfers.
