Ukraine is engaged in what it describes as “positive” negotiations with the United States over the purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles and other long-range weapons, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Washington Olha Stefanishyna told Bloomberg. The talks continue even as US President Donald Trump has recently signaled he does not want such systems sent to Kyiv.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV’s Balance of Power, Stefanishyna said discussions remain active, involving “a lot of delegations” working to expand the financial resources for Ukraine to acquire additional US military capabilities.
“The discussion is still ongoing,” she said. “It is not only Tomahawks but different types of other long-range and short-range missiles,” adding that the overall dynamic is “rather positive.”
The ambassador, who assumed her diplomatic post just over two months ago, noted that Ukraine’s outreach includes efforts to strengthen ties with Trump, who has at times criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky and previously referred to him as a “dictator.”
Stefanishyna, who assumed her diplomatic post just over two months ago, said maintaining constructive relations with Washington remains one of her top priorities.
Asked about Russia’s intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid in recent weeks, Stefanishyna acknowledged the severity of the challenge, calling the moment “a very tough period for Ukraine.” She stressed that Kyiv is working urgently to reinforce its air-defense architecture.
“We can survive this winter and another winter,” she said, “but it does not mean that it is right.”
On Sunday, Trump had poured cold water on the idea of supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, saying he was “not really” considering the move. He offered a blunt message to Kyiv and Moscow: settle the war yourselves.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, Trump dismissed the idea of selling Tomahawks to Ukraine, despite recent reports indicating that the Pentagon had deemed the US Tomahawk stockpile sufficient for transfer.
“No, not really,” Trump told reporters when pressed on the Tomahawk deal.