U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles, despite making comments suggesting Ukraine could retake lost territory.
According to multiple U.S. media reports, Zelensky raised the request during a brief meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York earlier this week. The two leaders met privately for only six to seven minutes before Trump abruptly ended the discussion, which included a briefing by Zelensky on Ukraine’s battlefield situation and upcoming offensive plans.
Shortly after the encounter, Trump posted on Truth Social that Russia was a “paper tiger” and suggested Ukraine might be able to reclaim all of its lost territory with the support of European funding. While the comments were interpreted by some as a shift in tone, officials in Western capitals saw them as further indication that Trump intends to distance the U.S. from direct involvement in the war.
Zelensky reportedly pressed Trump not only for Tomahawk missiles but also for expanded U.S. intelligence sharing, which would enable Ukraine to conduct deep strikes inside Russian territory. Since taking office, Trump has consistently blocked such measures, citing the risk of escalation.
Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have an effective range of between 1,000 and 1,600 miles (620–995 km), would allow Ukraine to directly target Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian strategic sites—an option Zelensky has long advocated. Trump’s refusal to provide the weapons or loosen restrictions on intelligence cooperation suggests that Washington’s role will remain limited under his leadership.
The rejection further reinforces speculation that Trump is aiming to shift the financial and political burden of the war onto the European Union, while minimizing U.S. commitments. For Kiev, the outcome highlights the limits of American support and underscores the growing importance of European backing as the conflict grinds on.