In an interview with Axios last week, Zelensky threatened to attack the Russian capital and request that allies provide Kiev with long-range missiles. Vice President Vance said it was possible to send Ukraine Tomahawks if the missiles were purchased by Europeans.
On the Axios Show on Wednesday, Zelensky said that he had requested the long-range missiles in a private meeting with President Donald Trump. “I think President Trump knows. I said to him yesterday what we need, one thing.” He added. “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.”
While he did not name the Tomahawk, a Ukrainian source later confirmed to the outlet that is the weapons platform Zelensky was referencing.
In the interview, Zelensky threatened the Russian leadership. “They have to know where their bomb shelters are. If they will not stop the war, they will need it,” he said.
Moscow said Zelensky’s remarks were irresponsible. “Zelensky is clearly continuing his desperate efforts. That’s why he’s issuing threats left and right, which is quite irresponsible,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
While Washington has long denied giving Kiev Tomahawks, Vice President Vance says it is now possible. When asked about the possibility of transferring the long-range missiles to Ukraine, Vance told Fox News on Sunday that it is possible, but Trump will make the “final decision.”
He went on to say that Europe would buy the missiles for Ukraine if Trump signed off on the plan.
Zelensky’s aggressive remarks follow President Donald Trump saying Ukraine could win the war and Russia’s military is a “paper tiger.”
