U.S. Envoy to NATO Says Long-Range Missiles Could Force Putin to Negotiate

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that providing Ukraine with long-range missiles, in particular Tomahawks, could radically change the course of the war, forcing the Kremlin to negotiate.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to European Pravda.

According to Whitaker, the final decision on the transfer of such missiles is in the hands of U.S. President Donald Trump. He, according to the diplomat, “speaks for himself” and plays a decisive role in determining further military support for Ukraine.

The U.S. Ambassador stressed that such a move could be a powerful tool to put pressure on Vladimir Putin, as Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russian territory could change his strategic calculations.

“The ability to strike deep inside Russia could change Putin's calculations and threaten many targets, including a significant portion of Russia's energy infrastructure,” Whitaker stressed.

He noted that the goal of such strikes is to compel Moscow to come to the negotiating table.

The U.S. Ambassador added that the Russian side is not currently showing any willingness to abandon its maximalist goals, but a combination of sanctions, obstacles to the “shadow fleet,” and the possibility of using long-range weapons could create serious incentives for the Kremlin to compromise.

According to the diplomat, only decisive steps by the US can bring a peace agreement closer, and it is President Trump who has the potential to make this scenario a reality.

“If anyone can achieve this, it is undoubtedly President Trump,” Matthew Whitaker is convinced.

As The Gaze informed earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Friday, October 17.