Tomahawk missile deliveries to Ukraine could take several months – MP Yehor Cherniev

On his Facebook page, he added that “everything will take longer than we’d like.”

“Trump didn’t accidentally say he ‘almost’ decided that he doesn’t want escalation and that he wants to clarify how these missiles will be used. So the stages are clearly defined: he can change his mind and not deliver them, he can deliver them but not allow their use, or he can allow their use only for specific targets,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, the Tomahawk missiles are a means of pressure on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin — an attempt to force him to negotiate — and only then a way to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities.

He emphasized that at each of these stages, Putin is given the opportunity to retreat and agree to talks. Therefore, the supply and use of missiles will likely be gradual.

“At first, we’ll be given only a few missiles — a few dozen, maybe — but we won’t be allowed to fire them right away. They’ll watch how the Kremlin reacts. If there’s no reaction, we’ll be able to strike several targets near the Russian border. If Putin still refuses to negotiate, the strike radius and the number of deliveries will gradually increase as the war escalates. Eventually, all restrictions will be lifted — except, perhaps, for strikes on the Kremlin itself or directly on Putin,” he said.

He stressed that “the entire process could take at least several months,” but it will represent real pressure and a real argument.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had “practically decided” to provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

“Yes, I’ve practically made a decision, if you think about it. I just want to know what they’re going to do with them. You know, where they’re going to send them? I think I’ll have to ask that question,” Trump said.

On Sept. 26, Britain’s The Telegraph reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, asked Trump to provide Tomahawk missiles.

According to the paper’s sources, Zelenskyy told Trump that high-tech weapons would help bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to discuss a peace deal.

In a Sept. 25 interview with The Axios Show, Zelenskyy said Kremlin officials should “learn where the nearest shelters are,” as Ukraine’s defense forces intend to use long-range weapons if they receive them from the United States.

In the same interview, Zelenskyy said Trump supported Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes on Russian energy and military facilities.

On Sept. 28, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said the administration was discussing providing Ukraine with Tomahawk long-range missiles.

On Oct. 1, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials, that the United States would provide Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes deep inside Russian territory.

On Oct. 2, speaking to the media ahead of the European Political Community summit in Denmark, Zelenskyy confirmed that he discussed long-range weapons with Trump during their meeting.

That same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would “respond appropriately” to the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.