Trump Calls for End to Ukraine War as Middle East Sees New Dawn

Trump’s New Focus on Ukraine and the Potential of Tomahawk Missiles

Donald Trump is set to shift his attention from the Middle East to a different global conflict, as he prepares to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. This move comes after a successful visit to Israel and Egypt, where he was celebrated for his role in brokering what he described as a ‘historic dawn in a new Middle East.’ Now, Trump is looking to replicate that success in Europe’s most devastating conflict in recent history.

At a summit of world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, there were glowing endorsements of Trump’s efforts, with many urging him to bring the same level of diplomatic success to the war between Kyiv and Moscow. The next step in this effort will involve a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. This meeting could be pivotal in determining how the Tomahawk missile will be used to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks.

Zelensky has confirmed that the main topics of discussion will include air defense and long-range capabilities to maintain pressure on Russia. He stated, “The main topics will be air defence and our long-range capabilities, to maintain pressure on Russia.” Trump has already issued a stark warning to the Kremlin, threatening to deliver Tomahawks to Kyiv if Putin continues to block peace negotiations.

Intensifying US Intelligence Sharing

In addition to the potential delivery of Tomahawk missiles, Trump has also intensified US intelligence-sharing with Ukrainian forces. This collaboration allows Ukrainian forces to target Russia’s energy infrastructure, aiming to squeeze the country’s faltering economy. Such actions could significantly impact the ongoing conflict and further strain relations between the US and Russia.

Speaking en route to Israel on Sunday, Trump hinted that the missiles could be the next step in this strategy. He said, “I might say, look, if this war’s not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks. I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks. Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.” Referring to Putin, he added, “I might tell him that if the war is not settled, that we may very well do it.”

A New Era in the Middle East

Trump touched down in Tel Aviv on Monday to celebrate the release of 20 Israeli hostages under the new ceasefire agreement. He declared, “This is the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God.” He continued, “It’s the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region. I believe that so strongly. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”

After declaring the end of hostilities, Trump jetted to Egypt to attend the signing of the first phase of a White House-brokered Gaza peace deal. Addressing Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, Trump declared his next victory would be bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. “It would be great if we could make a peace deal with [Iran]… First, we have to get Russia done,” he told lawmakers. “Let’s focus on Russia first.”

Since taking office in January, Trump has claimed to have ended eight separate conflicts, including the war in Gaza. Yet peace in Ukraine remains elusive, with his team still searching for leverage over Putin.

Reviving Optimism in Peace Through Strength

Despite the challenges, Trump’s Middle East triumph has revived global optimism in his ‘peace through strength’ doctrine. Zelensky praised the US leader’s success, saying it “brings more hope” to other war-torn regions. “We are working so that the day of peace comes for Ukraine as well,” he wrote on social media. “Russian aggression remains the last global source of destabilisation, and if a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us, too.”

His Prime Minister and senior aides flew to Washington this week for ‘high-level talks to strengthen Ukraine’s defence, secure our energy resilience, and intensify sanctions pressure on the aggressor.’ With speculation mounting over the possible delivery of Tomahawks, Zelensky is preparing a list of Russian targets that could be struck if Trump gives the green light.

Strategic Implications and Global Reactions

The missiles—with a range of roughly 1,500 miles—would enable Ukraine to hit deep inside Russia, disrupting supply chains and crippling drone and missile factories. Zelensky believes the weapons could force Putin to the negotiating table, saying earlier this year the capability would be enough to “pressure” Moscow into serious talks. Such a move would mark a major escalation in the US support for Kyiv and a dramatic hardening of Trump’s stance against the Kremlin.

Trump himself admitted that arming Ukraine with the missiles would represent a “new step of aggression.” His predecessor, Joe Biden, had rejected repeated requests for the same weapons. Russia has reacted furiously to the reports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the potential deployment of Tomahawks was of “extreme concern,” warning that tensions were “escalating from all sides.”

He claimed Moscow would have no way of knowing whether any missiles launched at its territory carried nuclear warheads—asking: “Just how should Russia react?” So far, Putin and his senior aides have avoided directly criticizing Trump in what appears to be in the hope they can still persuade him to reconsider.