US President Donald Trump has urged Vladimir Putin to “stop killing Ukrainians and Russians,” setting a sharper public line ahead of talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and signalling possible changes to US military support for Kyiv.
The appeal came at a press conference late on 15 October. Trump also said Ukraine “wants to go on the offensive,” framing forthcoming discussions around whether the United States should facilitate that aim.
Trump has repeatedly floated the prospect of supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. He has not confirmed a final decision, but indicated the option remains on the table should Moscow decline to engage in talks or de-escalate. In weekend remarks, he said he might warn Putin that a failure to pursue a settlement would increase the likelihood of Tomahawk deliveries. Such weapons would extend Ukraine’s strike range deep into Russian territory.
The Tomahawk discussion has drawn a forceful rhetorical response from the Kremlin. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, signalled “extreme concern” and Russian officials have framed any Tomahawk provision as a new phase of escalation, again invoking nuclear rhetoric and claiming that launches could be interpreted as direct US attacks. Analysts note this is consistent with Moscow’s pattern of deterrent signalling around Western systems considered consequential.
Parallel to the military track, Trump has asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to halt purchases of Russian oil. The claim, made this week, immediately moved energy markets and prompted clarifications from New Delhi that India’s policy would continue to prioritise consumer interests and affordability. India’s statements did not confirm Trump’s account of a promise, while Indian refiners indicated they still seek the cheapest crude available, including discounted Russian barrels.
The remarks triggered political reaction in India. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, said Mr Modi was “scared” of Trump, arguing the Prime Minister had allowed the US President to “decide and announce” an Indian policy shift. Moscow, for its part, expressed confidence that energy ties with India would continue.
Oil prices rose about one per cent after Trump’s statement on India, reflecting market sensitivity to any potential curbs on Russian exports to major Asian buyers. Russia’s seaborne crude has been redirected largely to India and China since 2022; any material change in Indian buying patterns would affect both Russian revenues and global balances. For now, Indian officials and refiners signal continuity grounded in price and security of supply.
Within NATO, recent US messaging has hardened. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of “costs” for Russia absent movement toward peace, part of a broader effort to align allies on sustaining Ukraine’s defence and industrial procurement. European partners remain cautious about US consistency, but note closer coordination on intelligence and sourcing of munitions.
On the battlefield, Ukraine’s leadership has argued that expanded range and quantity of Western systems would enable a renewed offensive designed to disrupt Russian logistics and power-generation targets. Trump’s comments that “they want to go on the offensive” reflect that assessment, though any authorisation for Tomahawks or other long-range strike packages would mark a significant policy shift requiring technical, legal and alliance consultations. No such authorisation has been announced.
Russia has continued large-scale strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches, seeking to impose economic and civilian pressure. At the same time, NATO capitals report increased drone activity near or within allied airspace, incidents that member states view as testing responses and bandwidth. Moscow frames its warnings over Tomahawks as defensive; Washington and allies see them as coercive signalling.
Trump meets Zelenskyy in Washington on 17 October. The White House agenda is expected to cover Ukraine’s operational plans, Western air defence and long-range fires, and the status of European procurement initiatives. Trump’s public language places responsibility on Moscow to curb attacks and engage, while keeping open the option of raising military and economic pressure. India’s stance on Russian oil will be watched closely as a test of whether diplomatic leverage can narrow Russia’s revenue streams without destabilising energy markets. As of today, there have been no formal US decisions announced on Tomahawk transfers, and India has not declared an end to Russian oil purchases.
