The Trump administration is continuing the US proxy war with Russia through Ukraine right where the previous Biden administration left off. Not only has the Trump administration failed to end the conflict as it campaigned on doing so “within 24 hours,” it has begun a process of escalation, division of labor, and strategic sequencing targeting Russian allies Iran and China as well.

US Tomahawk cruise missiles are still being considered for deployment to Ukraine. The most likely platform for launching them would be the Lockheed Long Range Fires (LRF) launcher abandoned by the US Marines in 2023 but still under consideration by the US Army. Working examples of this platform exist and would provide sufficient mobility for Ukraine-based Tomahawk strikes on targets across Russia.

The missiles would likely be used to expand an already ongoing US-directed campaign targeting Russian energy production which US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced would be pressured as early as February 2025. The US and Europe are preparing the European public for a wider and more dangerous role in the ongoing conflict as Europe will be needed to fill the void Ukraine’s collapsing fighting capacity is leaving.

The US is and will continue to extend its campaign of political subversion, economic sanctions and tariffs, as well as encouraging US client states to begin seizing Chinese assets and ramping up for proxy and even direct war and blockades on China just as it has been vis-a-vis Russia.