Ukraine's Path to Tomahawk Missiles: Following a Proven Strategy

Ukraine will likely soon obtain Tomahawk cruise missiles that will help win the war and secure the peace. When I advocated for cluster munitions and then ATACMS for Ukraine, there was a successful process that is now being followed for Tomahawks. Just as with those previous weapons systems, this deliberate strategy will likely result in Ukraine receiving Tomahawks soon.

Russians use the word "escalation" so frequently that Western media often echoes it, and politicians fear they are escalating. But Russia invaded Ukraine. The invaders fire ballistic and cruise missiles at civilian targets: retail malls and children's hospitals. For defenders to fire cruise missiles at Russian military targets is not escalation. It is parity. If the Baltics were invaded, NATO cruise missiles would be firing into Russia within hours. Ukraine has absorbed nearly four years and 50,000 ballistic, cruise, and Shahed attacks without being supplied cruise missiles. Russian intimidation tactics work too well.

Obtaining weapons when the US is not a belligerent requires ideas, education, and persistent advocacy. No one discussed cluster munitions in July 2022 when I began advocating through publications, CNN, and Congress. The concept spread slowly, but eventually reached the highest levels of Ukraine, the US, and NATO. Ukraine obtained them with devastating effect on Russian forces. ATACMS followed the same pattern: articles and television appearances sparked national debate. Congress was split 50-50 on increasing HIMARS range from 45km to 300km. Half thought it too aggressive. But socializing this concept led to compromise. When I met with Armed Services Committee Chairman Senator Jack Reed, we found a solution: the shorter-range M-39 (180km) with cluster munitions, which proved even more powerful. He secured congressional approval, and the missiles appeared on the battlefield in October 2023 with no warning, striking Russian airfields at Berdyansk and Luhansk. Initial reports cited nine helicopters destroyed, though the actual toll may have been considerably higher, reportedly as high as 24 Russian attack helicopters across the two airfields.

Each process required making the topic a national debate.  And once we broke the seal on 180km range ATACMS it was easier to quietly upgrade to the 300km ATACMS. 

Tomahawks have now reached the highest levels and are being debated in international media, congressional halls, and negotiations between Presidents Trump, Zelensky, and Putin. It is only a matter of time before they appear on the battlefield, hopefully, like the 180km ATACMS, and then the 300km ATACMS, with no advance notice to the enemy. Presidents Trump and Zelensky now hold the cards. Putin fears the Tomahawk because he cannot defend all of Russia within its range, even though providing them represents parity, not escalation. Trump demonstrated decisive action against nuclear threats in June 2025 when he ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, showing he understands the value of military strength in achieving strategic objectives.

President Trump holds another card: the Gulf States. He was received warmly during his May 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, securing over $2 trillion in investment commitments and major defense agreements. Having taken decisive action against Iran's nuclear program (the enemy of all three Gulf nations), Trump has significant political capital.

On his next visit, he will be hailed as a hero. He should ask Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to each donate $10 billion to a Ukraine Victory Fund. He should also request they increase oil production to undermine the Russian economy until Putin withdraws fully from Ukraine. Trump can tell Putin that this $30 billion can be used for peaceful purposes to rebuild Ukraine, or it can purchase American weapons to defend Ukraine, including Tomahawks.

The Gulf States would welcome being hailed by the United States, Europe, and the world as instrumental in ending this war. Like cluster munitions and ATACMS before it, the next step is socializing the concept of Gulf States funding an Ukraine Victory Fund, making it part of the national and international debate until it becomes reality.

Dan Rice, President of American University Kyiv, graduate of U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and combat veteran

*Author's opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Ukrinform's editorial board