...
By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Kremlin said there is "no panacea" for Ukraine in the ongoing war as U.S. President Donald Trump weighs sending Kyiv long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles so it can strike deep into Russia.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, also questioned whether Americans would be involved in targeting or launching the weapons if they end up in Ukraine.
Tomahawks have a range of approximately 1,000 miles, which would put Moscow within the reach of Ukraine's forces and also allow them to hit military targets deep in Russia, such as air bases and armaments factories.
Read More on World
Calculated Risk
But handing Tomahawks to Kyiv would escalate a conflict Trump is struggling to end, and risk setting off a chain of events that could end with a direct war between Russia and NATO, two sides armed with huge arsenals of nuclear weapons.
It would be a calculated gamble designed to pressure Russia into finally ending its war against Ukraine, but one with potentially disastrous consequences if it backfires.
"We have heard these statements," Peskov said at a press briefing on Monday, September 29, originally in Russian, in response to a question about Trump considering Tomahawks for Ukraine. "We are carefully analyzing them. Our military specialists are closely monitoring this," Peskov said, according to state news agency TASS.
“The question, as before, is the following: Who can launch these missiles, even if they end up on the territory of the Kyiv regime? Can they be launched only by Ukrainians, or must it still be done by American military personnel? Who provides the targeting for these missiles? A very deep analysis is needed here.”
He added: "Even if this is the case, there is no panacea that can now change the situation on the fronts for the Kyiv regime. There are no magic weapons, whether it is Tomahawk or other missiles, they will not be able to change the dynamics."
...
JD Vance Reveals Trump Considering Tomahawk Request
Speaking to Fox News in an interview taped Friday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration was reviewing a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Tomahawk missiles.
“It’s something that the president is going to make the final determination on. I know that we’re reviewing that request. We’re also reviewing a number of other requests,” Vance said.
The U.S. has so far resisted requests from Ukraine for long-range weapons that could hit Moscow, fearing the potential for a catastrophic escalation of the war.
But Trump's efforts to broker peace, including engaging Russia directly, even meeting Putin in person on American soil in Alaska, have been met with an intensification of the invasion by Moscow.
Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, killing at least four people, with Kyiv suffering the heaviest assault. It was the first major bombardment since an air attack on Ukraine's capital left at least 21 people dead last month.
Trump is now seeking to increase the pressure on Russia to make peace.
He has urged Kyiv's European allies to hit Russia with tougher sanctions and tariffs, including measures targeting Moscow's main strategic ally, China, and said the U.S. would follow their lead in doing so.
The U.S. leader also said he thinks NATO allies should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace after a series of alleged incursions.
Moscow has called the accusations unfounded and warned NATO against shooting any of its aircraft down, saying it would be seen as an act of aggression that would receive a direct response.
Updated, 9/29/25, 6:11 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.
This article uses reporting by The Associated Press.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines