Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning that supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would mark a dangerous new escalation in the ongoing conflict. Speaking during a televised session at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin declared that such a move would not alter the battlefield dynamics but would instead destroy what he described as “positive trends” in Moscow’s relations with Washington.
The remarks came in response to reports that the United States was considering transferring Tomahawk missiles—which have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles)—to Kyiv. The weapons, long associated with America’s naval and air power, would give Ukraine a significant boost in striking capability, allowing it to target military infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
Putin, however, dismissed the idea that the missiles would change the course of the war. “The supply of long-range missile systems, including Tomahawks, to Ukraine will lead to the destruction of the emerging positive trends in relations between Russia and the United States,” he said during the forum, in a conversation with state media journalist Pavel Zarubin. “But it will not change the situation on the battlefield.”
Putin’s remarks reflect Russia’s growing unease over Western military support for Ukraine, which has expanded in both scope and sophistication over the past year. The Russian leader has repeatedly warned that deliveries of long-range weaponry could provoke retaliatory steps, including strikes on new targets or even a re-evaluation of Moscow’s nuclear posture.
“The more powerful the weapons supplied to Kyiv, the greater the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO,” Putin said, reiterating that Moscow viewed the conflict as a proxy war waged by the West.
He also accused Western nations of “fueling the conflict for geopolitical gain,” arguing that arms deliveries were designed not to help Ukraine defend itself, but to “weaken Russia at any cost.”
Putin Warns of ‘New Level of Escalation’ if US Sends Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine
For Ukraine, however, the introduction of Tomahawk missiles—or similar systems—would be a game changer. Since the start of the war in 2022, Ukrainian forces have relied heavily on drones and modified Soviet-era missiles to carry out long-range strikes on Russian supply depots, airfields, and infrastructure.
Although these drone attacks have caused disruptions, they lack the precision and destructive power of Western cruise missiles. Tomahawks, with their long range and pinpoint accuracy, would enable Ukraine to strike strategic targets well beyond the frontlines—potentially reaching deep into Russia’s heartland.
Military analysts say such weapons could be used to disrupt Russia’s logistics chains, fuel depots, and command centers, dramatically increasing the pressure on Moscow’s war effort. “If Kyiv were to receive Tomahawks, it would fundamentally alter the strategic balance by extending Ukraine’s strike reach,” said one European defense expert quoted by Reuters.
However, US officials have not confirmed whether the missiles will be transferred, emphasizing that any decision would take into account the risk of escalation with Russia.
Putin’s warning also comes amid renewed tensions between Moscow and Washington following recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who dismissed Russia’s military performance in Ukraine as “weak” and “overstretched.” Speaking at a campaign event last month, Trump referred to Russia as a “paper tiger,” mocking its failure to achieve major territorial gains despite heavy bombardments and immense financial and human losses.
“After nearly three years, they still can’t take Kyiv. They’ve spent billions and lost countless soldiers—Russia looks like a paper tiger,” Trump said.
Moscow has reacted angrily to those remarks, accusing Trump of “political posturing” and “ignorance” of battlefield realities. Putin’s comments in Sochi appeared partly aimed at countering that narrative. He asserted that Russian forces continued to advance in several sectors and that the “special military operation” was proceeding according to plan.
“The Russian army is working methodically and achieving its objectives,” Putin claimed. “No amount of Western weapons will change that.”
Relations between Russia and the United States have deteriorated sharply since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While both sides have maintained limited diplomatic contact—mostly concerning prisoner exchanges and nuclear arms control—trust has virtually evaporated.
Putin’s reference to “positive trends” likely alluded to recent indirect talks over prisoner swaps and humanitarian corridors, but his comments suggested that those fragile channels could collapse if Washington proceeds with arming Ukraine with long-range missiles.
“The moment Tomahawks arrive in Ukraine, all dialogue will end,” a Kremlin source told Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency. “It would be viewed as direct participation in hostilities.”
Analysts warn that the coming months could prove pivotal as Western nations debate how far to go in supporting Ukraine’s defense without provoking all-out confrontation with Russia. The Biden administration and NATO allies are under increasing pressure to provide Kyiv with more powerful weapons as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure ahead of winter.
Meanwhile, Putin’s comments serve as a reminder that Moscow remains willing to escalate rhetorically—and possibly militarily—if its red lines are crossed.
For now, the world watches cautiously as the specter of a new, more dangerous phase of the war looms—one that could bring Russia and the United States closer than ever to a direct military confrontation.
Source- Nehandaradio
