Russian president says supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would trigger a new stage of escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared it “impossible to believe” that Moscow seeks a war with NATO nations, even as he issued a sharp warning to Donald Trump over U.S. plans to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin said that talk of an imminent war with Russia by “Europe’s ruling elites” was unfounded, arguing such a conflict would go against Russia’s own security interests.
Putin’s Warning on Tomahawks
The Russian leader warned that any move by Washington to supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv would mark a “new stage of escalation.”
“Using Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel is impossible. This would mark a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States,” Putin said.
His remarks came after U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that Washington was weighing a Ukrainian request for Tomahawks, which could reach deep into Russia, including targets around Moscow.
Growing U.S. Involvement
The debate over Tomahawks follows reports that the United States plans to provide Ukraine with intelligence support for long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Such measures would significantly expand U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, further heightening tensions between Moscow and Washington.
Putin’s dual message—denying that Russia seeks open war with NATO while threatening escalation if the U.S. crosses certain red lines—highlights the fragile balance of global security as the conflict enters yet another volatile stage.