The Big Game without Tomahawk: Experts tell why Trump is backing down to the Kremlin again
17 October 2025 14:01
EXCLUSIVE
After another conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the topic of possible deliveries of American Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine has once again sparked heated discussions among experts. The statements of the US president, who suddenly changed his rhetoric in support of Kyiv, were perceived as a signal of political instability and another manifestation of his dependence on the Kremlin’s opinion.
Military expert Oleh Zhdanov in a commentary
“I have already said that there will be no Tomahawk. This is political bargaining. Trump just once again demonstrated his complete dependence on Putin. You see, when the situation is critical, Putin either offers a meeting, as was the case with Alaska, and Trump immediately takes Putin’s side. Or a phone conversation. You see how Trump’s opinion changes dramatically. And Tomahawk can’t provide that, because the United States needs it. And it’s not time to impose sanctions on Russia,” the expert said.
According to Zhdanov, it is very interesting how Modi, the Prime Minister of India, will react to the fact that duties can be imposed against India as sanctions, but it is not time to impose sanctions against Russia.
“Unfortunately, Trump is completely dependent on Putin,” he stated.
“By the way, the situation is the same. Calm down, where is Trump going? To Mar-a-Lago, to his ranch. He flew from Alaska to Mar-a-Lago. And now he is going to meet with our president today, and then immediately go to his golf course, or cemetery, to be more precise. Mar-a-Lago is registered as his cemetery. To avoid paying taxes. Unfortunately, yes. I am very sorry that those who expected hundreds of Tomahawks are now desperate,” summarized Zhdanov.
Instead, political analyst Oleh Lisnyi sees the whole situation as an information operation by Washington aimed at putting psychological pressure on Putin.
“From the very beginning and up to now, I have believed that this is an information operation on the part of the United States, which is designed to influence Putin by intimidating him with a negative perspective. But time and Putin’s actions will show whether this will ever become a reality, as he also realizes that Trump can take tough steps,” he said in a commentary
"Komersant Ukrainian" political analyst.
In his opinion, words alone will not persuade Putin to engage in a constructive dialogue, so a small number of Tomahawks could hypothetically be sent to strengthen this signal.
“At the moment, after the Trump-Putin conversation and before the Zelenskyy-Trump conversation, I think that the prospect remains a prospect. And then, as I understand it, Trump is still taking another deadline for the next meeting with Putin… Therefore, I think that, to summarize, before the meeting, if there is one, Trump-Putin, Tomahawks will not be handed over to us,” says Oleg Lisnyi.
So both experts agree on one thing: there are no concrete decisions on the transfer of missiles, and the future of military aid depends on Trump’s further steps and his contacts with the Russian dictator. Ukraine, on the other hand, remains in a state of waiting.
