WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine? Trump Threatens, Putin Calls, and Zelensky Visits
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Oct 16, 2025 Kate Batchelder-Odell, a foreign-policy analyst at The Wall Street Journal, and Jillian Melcher, a reporter with firsthand experience in Ukraine, delve into the implications of Trump’s possible decision to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. They discuss how this could impact the battlefield, with Kate explaining the missiles' capabilities and Jillian sharing insights from Donetsk on Russian logistics. The conversation explores the risks of escalation, the importance of Western support, and how Trump's rhetoric might translate into tangible action against Putin.
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Trump's Rhetorical Shift On Ukraine
- Trump has publicly signaled a rhetorical shift toward supporting Ukraine and raised the possibility of sending Tomahawk missiles.
- That rhetoric sets expectations for whether his tough talk will translate into concrete policy moves toward Russia.
Tomahawk Range And Precision Matter
- Tomahawk cruise missiles reach roughly 1,000 miles and deliver high accuracy and destructive power.
- Kate Batchelder-Odell argues their range and precision could enable Ukraine to strike deeper logistics and production targets rather than just defend.
Offense Restores Leverage
- Tomahawks could let Ukraine shift from static air defense to offensive strikes on drone factories and logistics hubs.
- That shift could restore momentum and bargaining leverage for a negotiated settlement.