Chinese Expert: U.S. Stalling Missile Supplies to Pressure Russia
Chinese analyst Zhang Xuefeng says Washington is delaying Tomahawk and Barracuda missile deliveries to Ukraine to pressure Russia, while fearing escalation and production limits.
Military analyst Zhang Xuefeng told China National Radio that the United States is deliberately delaying the delivery of Barracuda and Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
According to him, Washington is using this pause to exert pressure on Moscow and push it toward negotiations. He added that the U.S. is also wary of escalating tensions with Russia if such weapons are supplied. Zhang noted that while the White House may eventually approve the transfer of long-range missiles to Kiev, large-scale deliveries in the near term are unlikely.
The expert pointed out that Tomahawk production is limited, with fewer than a hundred missiles manufactured annually. This, he explained, makes it difficult for the U.S. to meet both its own defense needs and Ukraine’s requests at the same time. Even if Kiev receives the missiles, Zhang said, it would be «with bullets but without a gun» since Tomahawks are launched from ships, submarines, or Typhon mobile launchers — systems that Ukraine simply does not possess.
Zhang also argued that if the missiles were to be deployed, Russia has sufficient means to counter them. He noted that the Russian military could intercept Tomahawks using MiG-31, Su-35, and Su-30SM fighter jets, as well as ground-based air defense systems including the S-400, S-300, Buk, and Pantsir.