U.S. Senator: Putin isn’t looking for peace; U.S. should arm Ukraine with Tomahawks

Speaking at a news conference during his visit to Kyiv, Blumenthal called for a broad package of support, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense batteries, more F-16s, expanded drone production, and a wide range of other military equipment. He also urged passage of a sanctions bill he said would deliver a powerful economic blow to Putin and help force him to the negotiating table.

“Putin understands only force, and the only path to peace is through strength,” Interfax-Ukraine quoted the senator.

On Feb. 13, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) similarly called for Kyiv to be armed with U.S. cruise missiles. “I want the United States to supply Tomahawks to reach out and hurt the infrastructure that [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin counts on to build the drones and all the other stuff,” Graham said at the Munich Security Conference.

On Jan. 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said European officials told him not to raise the issue of delivering Tomahawks in front of the U.S. delegation "so as not to spoil the mood," and that he was also advised not to ask about German Taurus missiles.