Trump Shifts Focus to Ukraine as Gaza Ceasefire Holds, Weighs Tomahawk Missiles
With a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire in place, President Donald Trump is now prioritizing efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, signaling a potential shift in strategy that includes considering the provision of long-range weaponry to Kyiv. Ending both the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza was a central tenet of Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign, where he frequently criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the crises.
despite these efforts, like his predecessors, Trump has faced challenges in directly engaging Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a resolution with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the war approaches its fourth year.However, buoyed by the recent progress in securing a ceasefire in Gaza, Trump has expressed renewed confidence in his ability to facilitate an end to the Russian invasion and is prepared to increase pressure on putin to return to the negotiating table.
“Interestingly we made progress today, because of what’s happened in the Middle East,” Trump stated on Wednesday evening during a dinner with supporters. Earlier in the week, addressing the Knesset in Jerusalem, Trump predicted the Gaza truce would pave the way for normalized relations between israel and its Middle Eastern neighbors, but emphasized that ending the conflict in Ukraine is now his top foreign policy priority.
“First we have to get Russia done,” Trump said, directing his comments to his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who previously served as his management’s primary liai
Short term from an increased supply of Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), of which the U.S.has already approved the sale of up to 3,350 ERAMs to kyiv.
The Tomahawk, with a range of approximately 995 miles, offers a significantly greater strike range than either the ERAM (around 285 miles) or ATACMS (roughly 186 miles). “To provide Tomahawks is as much a political decision as it is a military decision,” Montgomery noted.”The ERAM is shorter range, but this can help them put pressure on Russia operationally, on their logistics, the command and control, and its force disbursement within several hundred kilometers of the front line. It can be very effective.”
Sanctions and European cooperation
Zelenskyy is expected to urge Trump to impose further economic sanctions on Russia, a step the Republican has, until now, appeared hesitant to take.While Congress has considered legislation to strengthen sanctions against Moscow, Trump has primarily focused on pressuring NATO members and other allies to reduce their reliance on Russian oil, which fuels the Russian war effort. Trump announced on Wednesday that India, a major purchaser of Russian crude following the invasion of Ukraine, has agreed to cease its oil purchases from Moscow.
Legislation currently awaiting Trump’s approval in the Senate proposes steep tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports, aiming to cripple the Russian economy. Although the president has not formally endorsed the bill – and Republican leaders are reluctant to proceed without his support – the White House has recently shown increased interest, with administration officials reviewing the legislation and suggesting revisions. This has been interpreted by Capitol Hill as a sign that Trump is becoming more receptive to the legislation, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
A White House official stated that the administration is collaborating with lawmakers to ensure that any proposed legislation aligns with the president’s foreign policy objectives and provides him with “complete flexibility.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated on Wednesday that the administration is seeking greater support from Europe, which he believes faces a more immediate threat from Russian aggression than the U.S.
“So all I hear from the Europeans is that Putin is coming to Warsaw,” Bessent said. “There are very few things in life I’m sure about. I’m sure he’s not coming to Boston. so, we will respond … if our European partners will join us.”
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