Ukraine Engages US in Positive Talks for Missile Procurement

Ukrainian officials have confirmed ongoing discussions with the United States regarding the procurement of Tomahawk missiles and other advanced weaponry. Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna described the talks as “positive” despite previous indications from former President Donald Trump that he was hesitant to send such military assets to Ukraine.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV’s “Balance of Power,” Stefanishyna noted, “The discussion is still ongoing, but we have a lot of delegations working to scale up the available financial resources to procure more military capabilities from the U.S.” She emphasized that the focus extends beyond Tomahawks to include various types of long-range and short-range missiles.

Stefanishyna, who took up her ambassadorial role in Washington just over two months ago, has made strengthening ties with the U.S. a priority. This comes after a challenging relationship between Ukraine and the Trump administration, marked by a contentious meeting in the Oval Office where both Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Despite previous tensions, Zelenskyy has worked to improve relations. Recent sanctions imposed by Trump on Russian oil giants Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC signal a shift in U.S. policy, reflecting a growing displeasure with Russia’s actions. The sanctions were implemented due to a “lack of serious commitment” to the peace process in the region.

Zelenskyy’s current objective is to obtain Tomahawk missiles and other long-range systems that would enable Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. However, Trump has expressed that these missiles would only be effective if launched by the U.S. military, leaving the future of Ukraine’s missile capabilities uncertain.

Addressing the recent surge in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Stefanishyna acknowledged the difficulties faced by the country. “It’s definitely a very tough period for Ukraine,” she stated. “We’re working hard to provide more air-defense capabilities to Ukraine. We can survive this winter and another winter, but it does not mean that it is right.”

She further cautioned that any reluctance to apply pressure on Russia could be interpreted as a signal to escalate military actions. “Any refusal to put pressure on Russia will be seen as something that gives them the green light to scale up their capabilities,” she added.

The discussions between Ukraine and the U.S. reflect a critical phase in Ukraine’s military strategy as it seeks to enhance its defense capabilities in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia.