(The Epoch Times)—President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States will not sell or trade Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for the time being, as concerns linger that such a move could lead to an escalation in that nation’s defensive war against Russia’s invasion.
Asked by a reporter on Air Force One whether he was considering sending the long-range missiles to Ukraine, Trump replied, “No, not really.”
He added a moment later that he might “change my mind, but at this moment I’m not [considering it].”
Ukraine has requested that the United States provide Tomahawk missiles, a type of missile manufactured and operated by the United States that has an effective range of up to 1,500 miles. Being equipped with such weaponry would enable the Eastern European nation to strike within Russian territory.
In October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Ukraine would be willing to trade drones to the United States in exchange for Tomahawk missiles.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it would view an attack within its territory using western missiles as an escalation by Ukraine’s western allies.
However, after a Ukrainian attack into Russian territory in November 2024 that used U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, Russia didn’t follow through on that rhetoric with an escalation against the west.
Nevertheless, Trump has long been ambivalent about permitting Ukraine to receive additional long-range missiles.
During an Oct. 17 meeting at the White House with Zelenskyy, Trump continued this pattern of ambivalence about his intentions on the issue.
When Trump was asked whether the United States would be interested in taking up Zelenskyy’s proposed trade of Ukrainian drones for Tomahawk missiles, Trump replied, “We would.”
At the same time, Trump said during that meeting that he hoped that the war could be resolved without the transfer of such weapons being necessary.
“It’s not easy for us to give. … You’re talking about massive numbers of very powerful weapons,” Trump said. “Hopefully they won’t need it. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the war over with without thinking about Tomahawks.”
Trump has also expressed concerns about the impact that transferring Tomahawk missiles could have on U.S. stockpiles and preparedness.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna told The Epoch Times on Oct. 16 that Ukraine is also undertaking negotiations with the United States on a technology-sharing deal.
The agreement “would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s cutting-edge drone technologies—across land, air, and maritime platforms,” Stefanishyna said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also seeking energy resources from the United States after Russia intensified missile and drone strikes into Ukraine during October. These strikes destroyed more than half of the nation’s gas production, raising fears of freezing temperatures, power outages, and blackouts for Ukrainians this winter.
Ukraine has also been targeting Russian energy infrastructure in its strikes.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Sunday, Trump was also asked whether he has any “final straw” that would demonstrate to him that Russia isn’t ready to end the war in Ukraine.
“There’s no final straw. Sometimes you have to let it fight it out. They’re fighting it out,” Trump said. “It’s been a tough war for Putin. He’s lost a lot of soldiers, maybe a million—that’s a lot of soldiers. And it’s been tough for Ukraine. It’s been tough for all involved. Sometimes you have to let it, you know, just get fought out.”
Trump has been seeking an end to the war in Ukraine, proposing that both sides agree to accept new borders along the frontlines of the conflict.
Though Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had in October agreed to meet in Budapest, Hungary, for a summit, that meeting was canceled on Oct. 31, leaving the next steps toward peace on the European continent unclear.
Emel Akan contributed to this report.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.