Camilla Jessen
The transfer of American Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would lead to escalation and bring the world to the brink of nuclear war, according to Lukashenko.
Belarusian leader says U.S. missile transfer would “push the world to the brink” as Trump and Zelenskyy prepare for key talks
Lukashenko issues a warning to U.S.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warned on Tuesday that transferring U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would mark a dangerous escalation in the conflict and could “lead the world to the brink of nuclear war,” state news agency Belta reported.
“No Tomahawk missiles will solve the issue of ending the war in Ukraine,” Lukashenko said. “This will escalate the situation to the point of nuclear war.”
He claimed that Russian leadership remains committed to peace efforts in Ukraine and suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump understands the risks involved in sending such long-range weapons.
Trump: “Everybody wants Tomahawks”
Lukashenko’s comments came after Trump told reporters Sunday that he might consider discussing the potential transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“If this war isn’t resolved, I’ll send them Tomahawks,” Trump said. “The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon — very offensive. And frankly, Russia doesn’t need them.”
Strike targets 1,550 miles away
The Tomahawk cruise missile can strike targets between 1,600 and 2,500 kilometers (1,000–1,550 miles) away.
This means Ukrainian forces could theoretically hit nearly 2,000 Russian military sites, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Missiles would target military sites only
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has maintained that if Tomahawk missiles are supplied, they would be used only against Russian military targets, including energy and logistics infrastructure.
Zelenskyy is set to meet Trump in Washington on October 17 to discuss the request. The White House confirmed Tuesday that the transfer of Tomahawk missiles will be among the key topics.
“He wants weapons. He’d like to have Tomahawks. Everybody wants Tomahawks,” Trump told reporters. “And we have plenty of Tomahawks.”
U.S. supply would “destroy” relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles would represent a “qualitatively new” level of escalation and could “destroy” relations between Moscow and Washington.
Putin also claimed that Russia’s air defense systems are prepared to intercept the American missiles, asserting that such a move would not change the military balance on the battlefield.
Nearly 2,000 Russian targets in range
Analysts at the ISW estimate that if Ukraine were to receive Tomahawks, as many as 1,945 Russian military facilities — including command centers, airbases, and logistics hubs — would fall within range.
This would mark a major leap in Ukraine’s strike capability, far surpassing its current arsenal of Western-supplied long-range weapons like Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles.
Lukashenko: Russia seeks peace
Lukashenko, a close ally of Moscow, insisted that Russia is focused on peace, not escalation.
“Donald Trump probably understands this better than anyone, as he is in no hurry to hand over these deadly weapons and allow strikes deep into Russia,” he said.
Belarus, which borders both Ukraine and Russia, has hosted Russian troops and equipment throughout the war but has stopped short of direct involvement in combat.
High-stakes meeting ahead
The Trump–Zelenskyy meeting on Friday could set the stage for one of the most consequential decisions in the ongoing war.
The proposed transfer of Tomahawk missiles — weapons typically reserved for the U.S. Navy — would signal a dramatic escalation in Western military support for Kyiv.
As Lukashenko and Putin warn of “unpredictable consequences,” international observers say the outcome of this week’s talks could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the entire region.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
