Tomahawks for Ukraine, sanctions for Russia: Can Trump’s pressure tactics bring Putin to the table?

File photo of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin

US President Donald Trump, speaking at the Gaza Peace Summit in Italy, indicated that ending the war in Ukraine is a priority of his administration. Two days later, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington and its allies are prepared to escalate pressure on Moscow, signalling that the United States may impose further economic costs and support Ukraine with advanced military capabilities. Trump has also hinted at providing Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, a move that would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deep inside Russian territory.

These steps underline Trump’s growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose resistance to peace talks and continued aggression in Ukraine have prompted the US to explore a combination of military and economic measures to compel negotiations.

Growing frustration with Putin and past measures

Trump’s frustration with Putin has intensified over the past year, as repeated diplomatic overtures and NATO-led sanctions failed to halt Russian advances. The US under Trump previously imposed tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, warning allies in Europe that deals with Moscow could carry economic repercussions. Washington has also pressed NATO members to increase defence spending and contribute directly to Ukraine’s military needs through initiatives such as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, yet the collective response has been slower than expected.

Analysts suggest that previous attempts to pressure Russia economically and diplomatically yielded limited results, with Moscow continuing its operations in eastern Ukraine despite sanctions and political warnings.

Escalation through military assistance

Trump’s consideration of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles represents a significant escalation. Tomahawks, powered by jet engines and capable of flying over 1,000 miles with high precision, would be the longest-range weapons supplied to Ukraine so far. The United States has hundreds of these missiles in its arsenal, which can be launched from naval platforms or land-based Typhon systems. This capability would allow Kyiv to threaten targets far inside Russia, including areas around Moscow, providing leverage to pressure Putin toward negotiation. Hegseth’s statements at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group reinforced this stance, highlighting that the US is ready to impose costs on Russia that only it can deliver while urging European allies to shoulder more conventional defence responsibilities.

Economic and strategic pressure

Beyond military aid, Trump’s administration continues to explore economic avenues to incentivise Russian concessions. Past measures included sanctions targeting Russian energy exports and financial networks, combined with warnings to allies over any indirect support to Moscow. While these efforts have historically produced limited results, the combination of economic penalties and potential battlefield leverage with Tomahawk missiles represents a renewed strategy to compel Moscow to the negotiating table. Kyiv’s leadership has welcomed such measures, with Defence Minister Denys Shmygal projecting a need for $60 billion in military support in 2026 to sustain and expand its defensive operations.

Will the renewed push succeed?

Trump’s renewed efforts face several challenges. European allies remain cautious about fully escalating military commitments, and Russia continues to demonstrate resilience despite prior sanctions and pressure. Analysts suggest that while Tomahawk missile support could provide Ukraine a tactical advantage, achieving a lasting peace will require synchronised economic, military, and diplomatic pressure. Still, Trump’s approach signals a shift from reliance solely on sanctions toward integrating high-impact military capabilities with targeted economic coercion, a strategy aimed at forcing Putin to reconsider his position and finally engage seriously in peace negotiations.