Zelensky did not identify the weapon during his interview with Axios’ Barak Ravid, but confirmed he had requested “one thing” from Trump. “By the way, we need it, but it doesn’t mean that we will use it. Because if we will have it, I think it’s additional pressure on Putin to sit and speak,” he said.
A Ukrainian official and another source familiar with the meeting confirmed that Zelensky was referring to Tomahawk missiles, a long-range, precision-guided system. Ukraine has raised the request with Washington several times over the past year, including in a list of military hardware submitted months ago.
According to a source with knowledge of the process, Tomahawks were the only system on that list that Trump did not agree to sell to NATO countries on Ukraine’s behalf. The Telegraph also reported on Friday that Zelensky had made the request during the meeting.
When asked by Axios what single action Trump could take to help Ukraine win the war, Zelensky replied: “I think President Trump knows. I said to him yesterday what we need, one thing.” He also suggested conditions could be attached to Ukraine’s use of the missiles depending on Russia’s conduct.
Zelensky added that Trump had said Ukraine should respond in kind to Russian attacks. “If they attack our energy, President Trump support that we can answer on energy,” Zelensky said, noting the same principle would apply to arms depots and production facilities.
Ukraine already uses drones capable of striking deep into Russia, but Zelensky explained that air defences limit their effectiveness. The Tomahawk, made by RTX, has a range of up to 1,000 miles compared to about 190 miles for U.S.-supplied ATACMS, and it is faster and more powerful than drones.
Ukraine has been developing its own long-range systems, such as the Palianytsia and Flamingo, but they lack the proven reliability of Tomahawks. The U.S. has concerns about escalation and about limited stockpiles, which take months to replenish, according to officials.
Zelensky said Trump responded to his request by telling him “we will work on it.” He also issued a warning in his interview: “They will need it, in any case,” he said of Russian officials, suggesting they should find the nearest bomb shelter if the war continues.
Source: Axios.
