On Saturday, October 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation that focused on strengthening Ukraine and pressuring Russia toward a peaceful settlement, prompting an official Kremlin reaction.
Zelensky‑Trump Conversation Focused on Tomahawks
On Saturday, Oct 11, Zelensky and Trump had a phone call. The main topic was strengthening Ukraine and pushing Russia toward a peaceful settlement. According to Axios, the leaders discussed providing Ukraine with long‑range Tomahawk missiles. Some military experts believe Kyiv’s possession could prompt Moscow to negotiate. The call lasted about thirty minutes.
Earlier in September, Zelensky had asked for Tomahawks during a side meeting at the U.N. General Assembly. Trump said earlier in the week that he had “in part decided” to supply Tomahawks to NATO states that could forward them to Ukraine.
Kremlin Expresses Great Concern
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskow replied on Sunday, stating that the particular weapon, available in conventional or nuclear versions, has a very long range and is serious firepower. He noted many statements require analysis and are recorded. The Tomahawk issue causes great concern, he said, echoing earlier statements from President Putin.
Peskow added that Russia remains ready for a peaceful solution, and that Trump’s repeated calls for talks show political steadfastness, while Europe and Ukraine show a “total lack of willingness” to act.
Russian View: Tomahawks Would Not Shift Battlefield
Vladimir Putin has said that delivering Tomahawks would not change the situation on the front. This claim can be contested. In an interview with Gazeta.pl, independent analyst Konrad Muzyka—a director at Rochan Consulting—argued that if Ukraine used the missiles against Russian critical infrastructure rather than military targets, Russia in its current form would face enormous challenges to maintain its presence.
Expert Perspective on Operational Use
Muzyka noted that the best strategic effect would come from using Tomahawks to strike Russia’s critical infrastructure. Such use could severely impair Russian defence and naval capabilities, potentially forcing them to negotiate, while an immediate battlefield shift would not occur.
