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By Liam Scott | Staff Writer with Agencies
The United States is considering whether to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday. The final decision, however, will rest with President Donald Trump, who has recently struck a more optimistic tone about Ukraine’s ability to reclaim its territory.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance confirmed today on Fox News that the Trump Administration is seriously considering the sale of BGM-109 “Tomahawk” Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM), which have a range of up to 1,500 miles, as well as other advanced weaponry, to Europe to provide to… pic.twitter.com/E9GmOMxZG1
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 28, 2025
Kyiv’s request for Tomahawks
Ukrainian officials have long pressed their Western partners for weapons capable of hitting targets deep inside Russia, arguing that such strikes could cripple Moscow’s military-industrial base. Deputy defence minister Ivan Havryliuk told the BBC that raising the cost of war for Russia was essential to bringing Moscow to the negotiating table.
The Tomahawk, with a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles), would put Moscow and other key Russian cities within reach of Ukrainian forces.
Mixed signals from Washington
While Vance said Trump had yet to make a final call, US special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg suggested the administration had already authorized limited strikes inside Russian territory. “The answer is yes, use the ability to hit deep, there are no such things as sanctuaries,” Kellogg told Fox News.
The remarks reflect a shift in U.S. policy. After months of scepticism over Ukraine’s capacity to resist Russia, Trump said last week that Kyiv could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form,” surprising even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kremlin’s response
Russian officials downplayed the prospect of Ukraine receiving Tomahawks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea, saying: “Whether it’s Tomahawks or other missiles, they won’t be able to change the dynamic.”
Intensified Russian strikes
The debate comes as Ukraine endures some of the heaviest bombardments since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. On Sunday, a 12-hour assault involving hundreds of drones and nearly 50 missiles left four dead and at least 70 injured in Kyiv.
According to Zelensky, 31 drones struck residential areas and civilian facilities, including a cardiology centre. Ukraine’s air defence systems, stretched thin, have struggled to maintain high interception rates during such massive barrages.
Kyiv’s call for air defence
Havryliuk reiterated Ukraine’s urgent need for Patriot missile defence systems, saying at least 10 units are required to shield major cities. He stressed that defending Ukrainian airspace also safeguards Europe, citing recent incidents of Russian drones entering Polish airspace.
“Strengthening our air defence system is an investment into the security of the entire Europe,” Havryliuk said.
Domestic production and allied support
Ukraine has expanded its own defence industry during the war, producing nearly all of its First Person View (FPV) drones and up to 40% of its frontline demand for other weapons. But officials admit the country still relies heavily on Western deliveries, particularly for advanced air defence systems.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration approved a scheme enabling European allies to buy U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine. Canada and several European countries have pledged $2 billion (£1.5bn) under the initiative, though deliveries remain slower than Kyiv hopes.
Strategic implications
For Ukraine, pairing stronger air defences with long-range strike capability is seen as the most credible way to pressure Moscow into talks. “Only together with our partners can we stop the Russian terror in the sky,” Havryliuk said.