U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Russia, saying he may authorize the delivery of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Moscow fails to move toward a peace settlement in the ongoing war.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during a trip to Israel and Egypt, Trump said he could use the prospect of Tomahawk missile deliveries as leverage to push President Vladimir Putin toward ending the conflict.

“I might say, ‘Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,’” Trump said.
“It’s an incredible weapon, a very offensive weapon. Russia doesn’t need that.”

The Tomahawk missile, a U.S.-made long-range precision strike weapon with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) depending on the variant, would significantly expand Ukraine’s ability to hit deep targets inside Russian territory — a move likely to trigger strong reactions from Moscow.

Trump’s remarks followed what he described as a “very productive” phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who reportedly renewed his request for Tomahawk missiles to bolster Ukraine’s long-range strike and air-defense capabilities.

Acknowledging the gravity of such a decision, Trump admitted it would represent “a new step of aggression,” but suggested it might be the necessary pressure to push Russia toward diplomacy.

“I don’t think Russia wants Tomahawks going in that direction,” he added.

The Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned against supplying such weapons to Kyiv, with Putin previously warning that it would “seriously damage” U.S.-Russia relations and mark “a qualitatively new stage of escalation.”

Despite the tense rhetoric, Trump emphasized that a negotiated settlement remains the preferred path, framing it as an opportunity for Putin to secure a positive legacy.

“I really think Mr. Putin would look great if he got this settled — and it’s not going to be good for him if not,” Trump said.

The remarks underscore Trump’s characteristic mix of pressure diplomacy and personal messaging, as Washington seeks to balance deterrence with potential off-ramps in the protracted Russia–Ukraine conflict.