Pentagon approves sending Tomahawks to Ukraine, decision rests with Trump

The Joint Chiefs of Staff notified the White House of their recommendation earlier this month, just days before Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Oct. 17. During that meeting, Zelenskyy asked for the missiles to strike oil and gas infrastructure inside Russia.

Two European officials said the Pentagon’s endorsement has encouraged U.S. allies in Europe, who believe Washington now has fewer reasons to refuse Kyiv’s request.

According to CNN, Trump publicly acknowledged at the White House that Ukraine “needs” the missiles. Behind closed doors, however, he said he would not approve them, “at least not yet”. Administration officials have drafted plans for a rapid transfer of Tomahawks should Trump give the go-ahead.

“While the Pentagon doesn’t have concerns about stockpiles, US defense officials are still grappling with how Ukraine would train on and deploy the missiles, officials said,” the report stated.

Tomahawks are typically launched from ships or submarines, but Ukraine’s limited naval capabilities mean the weapons would likely need to be fired from land. U.S. Marines and the Army have developed ground-based launchers that could be supplied to Kyiv.

European partners remain confident Ukraine can find a solution. One official noted that Ukrainian engineers have already adapted Franco-British Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles—originally built for modern NATO fighters—to Soviet-era aircraft.