Trump made the remarks at the White House on Wednesday during a press conference with FBI Director Kash Patel.
“They want to go on the offensive. I will make a decision on that, but they would like to go on the offensive. We will have to make a decision,” he said.
The president added he would speak with Zelensky about the war and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “stop killing Ukrainians and Russians,” citing figures that Russia has lost 1.5 million people in the full-scale invasion, “mostly soldiers.”
Zelensky has said he is “preparing in detail” for his meeting with Trump and is discussing specifics with relevant departments. Media reports say a potential transfer of US Tomahawk cruise missiles is expected to be a central topic.
Tomahawks have a range of up to 1,000 miles (over 1,600 km), far exceeding the roughly 190-mile range of ATACMS rockets that President Joe Biden agreed to provide to Kyiv in 2023.
According to the Telegraph, Zelensky requested Tomahawks during a meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
In late September, US Vice President J.D. Vance said Washington was discussing sending Tomahawks to NATO for later delivery to Ukraine, while noting the final decision rests with Trump.
On Monday, Trump said Ukraine could receive Tomahawks if Russia refuses to negotiate a peaceful settlement, adding he could speak with Putin about the issue.
Putin has warned that any Tomahawk supply to Ukraine would trigger a complete breakdown in Moscow’s relations with Washington.
(jh)
Source: IAR, Rubryka