US considers Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine with Trump set to make the final call, says Vance

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US Vice-President J.D. Vance said Ukraine has asked the US to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would send them to Ukraine.

US Vice-President J.D. Vance said Ukraine has asked the US to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would then send them to Ukraine.

PHOTOS: REUTERS

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The US is considering Ukraine’s request to obtain long-range Tomahawk missiles for its effort to push back against Russian invaders, Vice-President J.D. Vance said on Sept 28.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the US to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would then send them to Ukraine. Mr Vance said on Fox News Sunday that US President Donald Trump would make the “final determination” on whether to allow the deal.

“We’re certainly looking at a number of requests from the Europeans,” Mr Vance said.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500km and would be a powerful asset in Ukraine’s arsenal as it fights back against regular Russian missile and drone barrages.

Such a weapons delivery would almost certainly be seen by Russia as an escalation in its war in Ukraine. 

Mr Trump has denied Ukraine’s requests for use of long-range missiles in the past but has grown frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to reach a peace deal.

Mr Vance also said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stalled with little in the way of territorial gains recently.

“We’ve been actively pursuing peace from the very beginning of the administration, but the Russians have got to wake up and accept reality here. A lot of people are dying. They don’t have a lot to show for it,” he said. REUTERS

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