Zelensky asks Trump for Tomahawk missiles to pressure Russia at UN General Assembly meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed President Donald Trump in a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week to sell Kyiv Tomahawk cruise missiles to pressure Russia to end its war, according to reports and The Post's sources. Tomahawks have a range of roughly 700 to 1,500 miles, far longer than any Western weapon Kyiv has received to date, and could be instrumental in pressuring President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table. Zelensky met Trump on Sept. 23, 2025, in Manhattan as the General Assembly convened.

Zelensky’s effort centers on a long-range capability that would widen Ukraine’s strike envelope and potentially deter Russian forces by signaling Washington’s resolve. The missiles would dwarf the range of ATACMS, the longest-range U.S. weapons Kyiv has received so far, which reach about 190 miles. In a briefing tied to Axios, Zelensky disclosed the request to the outlet but did not publicly spell out the exact weapon type. A separate source told The Post that the ask was specifically for long-range missiles, and a person familiar with the Trump-Zelensky encounter indicated the president was amenable to the idea.

Zelensky suggested that Kyiv might not even need to deploy the missiles if they were provided, describing them as additional leverage to pressure Putin to sit down for talks. The Ukrainian leader told Axios that having the capability could send a message to the Russian military, even if it remained on the shelf. He emphasized that the mere presence of such weapons would be a strategic signal rather than a commitment to immediate use. The discussion reflects Kyiv’s broader effort to secure deterrents that could shape Moscow’s calculations as the war enters its third year.

The reported exchange comes as U.S. policy toward Ukraine has shown signs of evolving. In the past, the Biden administration reportedly declined similar requests over concerns that supplying long-range missiles could escalate the conflict. While Trump has been characterized by allies and observers as more openly supportive of Ukraine in recent weeks, he has also urged a hard line against Moscow and lamented what he calls Russia’s missteps in the war. He has described Russia as a paper tiger based on new U.S. intelligence suggesting Moscow faces economic and battlefield challenges. The new discussions at the United Nations add another layer to a rapidly shifting dynamic on aid and military equipment.

Analysts caution that any decision to authorize Tomahawk missiles would hinge on a complex set of risk considerations, including allied alignment, escalation dynamics, and how Moscow might respond to a major shift in U.S. weapons transfers. The era of high-stakes signaling at the United Nations underscores Kyiv’s push for options that could change Moscow’s calculus, even as diplomacy remains the ultimate aim. The White House and congressional officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports, and no official confirmation has been issued regarding the details of the meeting or potential U.S. action.

As leaders gather in New York, the war remains one of the defining security issues on the world stage. Zelensky’s outreach to Trump illustrates how Ukraine is pursuing a broader mix of deterrence and diplomacy to secure a swift and durable end to the conflict, even as Kyiv continues to press for additional military assistance and international support. The discussions illuminate the delicate balance policymakers face between arming partners and avoiding unintended consequences while seeking a path back to negotiations.