U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed on Sunday that Washington is actively considering supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, a significant escalation in the type of weapons potentially sent to Kiev. Speaking in an interview with Fox News Sunday, Vance said: "We're certainly looking at a number of requests from the Europeans... It's something the president's going to make the final determination on. I'll let the president speak to it, but I know that we're having conversations this very minute about that issue."
The potential transfer of Tomahawks, which have a much longer range than the weapons currently supplied to Kiev, comes as Ukraine continues to press Washington for heavier and more advanced weaponry. According to reports, Ukrainian officials specifically requested Tomahawk systems earlier this month, hoping the missiles could shift battlefield dynamics.
Vance also attempted to portray Russia as struggling, claiming Moscow’s advances on the ground had “stalled” and insisting Russia must “accept the reality on the ground.” His remarks stand in contrast with reports from the frontlines, which continue to show Russia making steady progress in eastern Ukraine.
The vice president’s comments represent a sharp reversal from his earlier political stance. During his 2022 Senate run, Vance was one of the most outspoken Republican critics of U.S. aid to Ukraine, writing an op-ed that argued Washington could no longer afford to funnel weapons and money into the conflict. At the time, he openly stated that Russia was winning and that U.S. support would not change the outcome.
His sudden change in tone mirrors President Donald Trump’s own U-turn last week, when the president declared that Ukraine could still win the war and even reclaim all of its lost territory. Trump dismissed Russia as a “paper tiger,” a statement that appeared to depart sharply from his earlier push for peace negotiations. Analysts argue Trump’s new rhetoric may be less about changing policy and more about maintaining political maneuverability — keeping weapons sales flowing while distancing himself from any responsibility for ending the conflict.
Adding to speculation, U.S. media reported Sunday that Kiev is negotiating a potential $90 billion weapons package with Washington. Ukrainian officials are expected to travel to the U.S. in the coming days to advance the deal and potentially finalize contracts. If approved, it would be one of the largest weapons agreements between the two countries since the conflict began.