Kyiv Seeks Long-Range U.S. Missiles to Pressure Russia and Strengthen Air Defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, with talks expected to focus on supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defense and increase pressure on Russia.
Announcing his trip, Zelensky said he would present a series of proposals to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities. “I will have the opportunity to meet with President Trump in Washington,” he shared on X. “The main focus of the visit is air defense and our long-range capabilities aimed at pressuring Russia for peace.”
The meeting follows recent statements from Trump, who said he may offer Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv as part of a broader strategy to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression. Zelensky has been lobbying Washington to supply the U.S.-produced missiles, emphasizing that they would be used only on military targets inside Russia.
The Tomahawk, a U.S.-made cruise missile with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), could enable Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, including targets near Moscow. According to Zelensky, Kyiv has already outlined how many missiles it needs and how they would be deployed as part of its defensive strategy.
The upcoming Trump–Zelensky meeting could mark a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s campaign for advanced weaponry and signal closer U.S.–Ukraine cooperation as Kyiv continues to seek leverage in its efforts to end the war on its terms.