Confirmation-shock by American ambassador: President Trump was ready to send Tomahawks to Ukraine, until... he spoke with Putin

The United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) had completed preparations for delivering long range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, but President Donald Trump is so far delaying the final approval of the transfer. This was claimed by former United States Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, explaining the delay due to the ongoing talks between the United States and Russia. Speaking at an EEF Talk event organized by the East European Foundation, Taylor, now a fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, revealed that the Pentagon’s planning had been fully completed. “I will tell you this, the Pentagon, our Department of Defense, was ready for a presidential decision to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. They were ready. There is no issue of missile shortage,” stressed Taylor. Although Trump ultimately chose not to give the “green light” for the delivery, Taylor noted that the option remains active. “I think it would be important, not something that would change the situation, but it would be a significant pressure element on Putin,” he added.

Taylor, who served as United States Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009) and later as chargé d’affaires (2019–2020), also pointed out a shift in the way the Trump administration supplies weapons to Kiev. Instead of transferring weapons as aid, the government is turning toward sales, which are often financed through NATO partners. Taylor argued that this model is “more sustainable” under the current administration, as it allows the White House to bypass Congress approval.

On 26 November, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump decided not to send the Tomahawks after a phone call with Vladimir Putin in October. Citing American officials, the newspaper noted that while Trump had previously expressed concern about the depletion of United States missile stockpiles, the discussion with Putin ultimately convinced him to abandon the plan. The call took place on 16 October, just one day before Ukrainian President V. Zelensky’s visit to the White House.

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