On October 12th, local time, Trump flew to the Middle East on Air Force One. On the way, he told reporters whether to give Ukraine the Tomahawk cruise missile or not. Before making the final decision, he may have to talk to Russia first. Two words.
It also sent a key signal: if there is no solution to the war in Ukraine, the United States may give the missile to Kiev.
Trump's statement didn't come out of the blue. On October 11, he just had a 30-minute phone call with Zelensky, and the two specifically talked about the delivery of the Tomahawk missile.
After hanging up the phone, Zelensky issued a statement, saying that the chat was "positive and effective" and specifically mentioned that "only by strength can Russia sit down and have a good talk." Anyone with a discerning eye can see that he just feels that with long-range weapons, The waist can be hard when negotiating.
I originally wanted to think that Zelensky's request was a little urgent, but later I found out that he had already asked the United States for the "Tomahawk" face to face at the UN General Assembly in September. At that time, he also said that even if he didn't use it, he could force Putin to return to the negotiating table by just putting the missile there.
Russia has been watching this matter for a long time, and the voice of opposition is getting stronger and stronger each time.
On October 2, Putin held a meeting at the Valdai International Debate Club and said it bluntly: If the "Tomahawk" missile is to be used, it cannot be used directly by American soldiers. If this weapon is really given to Ukraine, the situation will enter a "brand-new, qualitative upgrading stage", Russia-US relations will also be greatly impacted.
On October 5, Putin added, saying that this decision would ruin the positive trend that Russia and the United States had just begun.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova 8 was more direct, saying that sending a "tacksack" to Ukraine "will not make Russian-American relations completely reverse the head", and also said that Russia is looking at the situation, urging the United States not to impulsive.
Russia is stronger than the US, not just the missiles themselves.
In fact, it is not unreasonable for Russia to worry. The ability of the Tomahawk missile is indeed scary.
The range can range from 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers, and can be launched from Ukraine to critical military facilities in the heart of Moscow and Russia.
Its 450-kilogram warheads, dedicated command centers and energy facilities can also be attached to low-air flight, and ordinary air defense systems are difficult to stop.
Military experts all say that the missile was really given to Ukraine, and Russia's "safe back" is gone, and it must be avoided from being hit at any time.
The attitude on the U.S. side has also trembled, with no preconditions.
At the end of September, Vice President Vance leaked the news that the White House was thinking about getting NATO to come forward and transfer the "Tomahawk" to Ukraine, not directly from the United States.
On October 6, Trump also said that "some kind of decision has been made" on this matter, but what the decision is, has not been said.
This time again, "maybe to give and may not give", I also want to take this matter to pressure Putin, saying that is the small suite of negotiations, but this way to shake back, instead to make the situation more tense.
NATO moves, the United States monitors, the United States wants to avoid risk, but it’s not so easy
Interestingly, the United States also thought of a "roundabout" way, allowing NATO countries to act as middlemen and transfer the missiles to Ukraine instead of sending them directly.
There is also news that the United States may be watching how Ukraine uses missiles, for fear of really angering Russia.
The United States is so cautious because it is actually afraid of Russia's countermeasures.
Putin has previously suggested that Russia has weapons such as high-speed hypersonic missiles, and nuclear deterrence is the absolute bottom line, no one dares to touch.
Although Russia and the United States still cooperate on uranium supply, the "Tomahawk" issue has become a key hurdle testing the relationship between the two countries. How to proceed in the end will directly affect the direction of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The current situation is quite delicate. The United States wants to reduce risks by "NATO transit" and "supervised use", but Russia is not idle, showing its trump cards while making malicious words.
I originally wanted to think that both sides could find a way out, but later I found that neither side had any intention of letting go.
To know, the string of nuclear deterrence nobody can loose, really because of the misjudgment of the "Tax" missile, the consequences are not playful.
In the end, the Trump administration's decision on the "Tax" missile has become a key turning point in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Russia relies on "Hazel Tree" missiles and other means to build counter-measures, and NATO is expanding its troops and conducting exercises. The most dangerous thing between the two sides is the misfire.
In any case, all parties have to exercise restraint now and not let the situation slide in a worse direction. After all, it is really the point where nuclear deterrence is out of control, and no one can bear the consequences.