WASHINGTON – The United States is considering whether to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, Vice-President JD Vance confirmed on Sunday, in what could mark a major escalation of Western support for Kyiv.
Vance said the decision ultimately rests with President Donald Trump, though remarks from US envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg suggested Washington has already permitted limited long-range strikes inside Russia.
“The answer is yes — use the ability to hit deep, there are no such things as sanctuaries,” Kellogg told Fox News.
Ukraine has long pressed its Western allies for weapons capable of striking far beyond the front lines, arguing that only by making the war too costly for Moscow can Russia be forced into peace talks.
“If the cost of continuing the war for Moscow is too high, it will be forced to start peace talks,” Deputy Defence Minister Ivan Havryliuk told the BBC.
The Kremlin dismissed the US comments. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was “no panacea” that could change the battlefield situation, insisting Tomahawks or other long-range weapons would not alter the conflict’s dynamics.
Tomahawk cruise missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometres (1,550 miles), putting Moscow and other key Russian cities within reach.
Escalating Russian Strikes
The debate comes as Russia has ramped up its aerial campaign against Ukraine. On Sunday, a 12-hour barrage involving hundreds of drones and nearly 50 missiles killed four people in Kyiv and injured at least 70.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said residential buildings and even a cardiology centre were among the targets hit.
Earlier this month, Moscow launched more than 800 drones and missiles in a single wave — the largest since the invasion began in February 2022.
Ukraine says Russia is increasingly using advanced drones with multi-channel antennas designed to evade jamming.
Havryliuk warned the strikes are not just a threat to Ukraine. “Strengthening our air defence system is an investment into the security of the entire Europe,” he said, citing recent incursions of Russian drones into Polish airspace.
Kyiv’s Demands for Defences
Ukraine has appealed for at least 10 Patriot air defence systems to shield its cities from ballistic missile attacks.
Havryliuk confirmed there had been “movement” on Trump’s summer promise to deliver Patriots but declined to offer specifics.
Zelensky said on Monday Ukraine will continue to expand domestic production of drones and missiles, but acknowledged the country remains heavily reliant on allied support.
“Only together with our partners can we stop the Russian terror in the sky,” Havryliuk said.
The Trump administration has recently shifted its rhetoric on Ukraine. After months of scepticism, Trump last week suggested Kyiv could “win all of Ukraine back in its original form,” a statement that reportedly surprised even Zelensky.
Still, the prospect of Washington supplying Tomahawks would be one of the boldest steps yet — potentially giving Kyiv the ability to strike at the very heart of Russia.
