US President Donald Trump is unlikely to approve the transfer of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, as otherwise relations with Russia could "sink sharply", Alexander Gusev, a political scientist and professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences, told RIA Novosti.
Citing sources in the US and Europe, CNN reported that the Pentagon has given the White House permission to transfer long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, as the Defense Department has assessed that this will not harm the US arms stockpile. The final political decision on the transfer now rests with the US president.
„Making such a decision would affect Russian-American relations, taking them to a completely different level. Our relations are already at their lowest point, and this would send them sharply. That is why I am convinced that Trump will not make such a decision,“ said Gusev.
The “Tomahawk“ missiles “will not change the situation on the battlefield“, but their transfer to Kiev could have a significant impact on Russian-American relations.
Earlier, the US president said at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that only the US knows how to use “Tomahawk“ missiles and will not share this knowledge with anyone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on October 23 that Russia's response to the “Tomahawk“ missile strikes on the country would be serious, if not crushing. Journalists asked Dmitry Peskov, the Russian leader's press secretary, to clarify this statement. According to Peskov, the Russian president's statement regarding the response to possible Tomahawk missile strikes is eloquent and comprehensive and there is nothing to elaborate on.