Trump Shifts Focus to Ending Russia-Ukraine War Following Gaza Ceasefire Success

President Donald Trump has indicated he may authorize the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine as he shifts focus to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict following progress on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Washington:

With the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage agreement now holding, President Donald Trump is redirecting his attention toward resolving Russia's war on Ukraine. He's considering providing Kyiv with long-range weaponry as leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.

Resolving both the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts was a cornerstone of Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, during which he frequently criticized President Joe Biden's handling of these situations. Yet Trump, like his predecessor, has faced resistance from President Vladimir Putin, who has declined requests for direct talks with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the war approaches its fourth year.

Following the Gaza ceasefire breakthrough, Trump is expressing renewed confidence in his ability to make progress on ending the Russian invasion. He's also suggesting he's prepared to increase pressure on Putin if diplomatic engagement doesn't materialize soon.

"Interestingly, we made progress today, because of what's happened in the Middle East," Trump remarked about the Russia-Ukraine situation Wednesday evening while hosting supporters of his White House ballroom project at an elegant dinner.

Earlier this week in Jerusalem, during his address to the Knesset, Trump suggested the Gaza truce would create opportunities for the US to facilitate normalization of relations between Israel and numerous Middle Eastern neighbors. However, Trump emphasized that his primary foreign policy objective now is ending Europe's largest armed conflict since World War II.

"First, we have to get Russia done," Trump stated, turning to his special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has served as the administration's main intermediary with Putin. "We gotta get that one done. If you don't mind, Steve, let's focus on Russia first. All right?"

Trump is scheduled to meet with Zelensky on Friday, marking their fourth in-person meeting this year.

In anticipation of the meeting, Trump has revealed he's considering selling Kyiv long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, which would enable Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory—unless Putin moves quickly to resolve the conflict. Zelensky, who has long requested this weapons system, believes it would help Ukraine apply the necessary pressure on Russia to compel Putin to engage in peace negotiations.

Putin has clearly indicated that providing Ukraine with Tomahawks would cross a red line and further strain relations between Moscow and Washington.

Trump, however, remains undeterred.

"He'd like to have Tomahawks," Trump said of Zelensky on Tuesday. "We have a lot of Tomahawks."

According to Mark Montgomery, an analyst at the conservative Foundation for Defence of Democracies in Washington, approving Tomahawk sales to Ukraine would be a significant move, though implementing the system could take years due to supply and training requirements.

Montgomery suggested Ukraine might benefit more immediately from increased deliveries of Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). The US has already approved the sale of up to 3,350 ERAMs to Kyiv earlier this year.

With a range of approximately 995 miles (1,600 kilometers), the Tomahawk would allow Ukraine to strike significantly deeper into Russian territory compared to either the ERAM (about 285 miles or 460 km) or ATACMS (about 186 miles or 300 kilometers).

"To provide Tomahawks is as much a political decision as it is a military decision," Montgomery explained. "The ERAM is shorter range, but this can help them put pressure on Russia operationally, on their logistics, the command and control, and their force disbursement within several hundred kilometres of the front line. It can be very effective."

Zelensky is expected to once again urge Trump to impose additional sanctions on Russia's economy, something the Republican president has thus far seemed reluctant to pursue.

While Congress has considered legislation for tougher sanctions against Moscow, Trump has primarily concentrated on pressuring NATO members and other allies to stop purchasing Russian oil, which finances Moscow's war efforts. To this end, Trump announced Wednesday that India, which became one of Russia's largest crude customers following the Ukraine invasion, had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases.

Awaiting Trump's endorsement is Senate legislation that would impose substantial tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports to economically cripple Moscow.

Although the president hasn't formally supported it—and Republican leaders aren't planning to advance it without his backing—the White House has recently shown increased interest in the bill behind the scenes.

Administration officials have thoroughly reviewed the legislation, offering line edits and requesting technical modifications, according to two officials familiar with discussions between the White House and Senate. Capitol Hill interprets this engagement as an indication that Trump is becoming more serious about the legislation, sponsored by close ally Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

A White House official stated the administration is collaborating with lawmakers to ensure that "introduced bills advance the president's foreign policy objectives and authorities." The official, speaking anonymously about private deliberations, emphasized that any sanctions package must provide the president "complete flexibility."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday the administration is waiting for stronger commitment from Europe, which he noted faces a greater threat from Russian aggression than the United States.

"So all I hear from the Europeans is that Putin is coming to Warsaw," Bessent remarked. "There are very few things in life I'm sure about. I'm sure he's not coming to Boston. So, we will respond ... if our European partners join us."