Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned Washington against supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, warning that such a move would mark a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” in relations between Moscow and Washington.
Speaking at a forum of foreign policy experts in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Putin insisted the missiles would not change the overall conflict.
“Even if Tomahawk missiles are delivered to Kyiv, Russian air defenses will quickly adapt. It will certainly not change the balance of force on the battlefield,” he said, stressing that Russian forces are “making steady gains” in Ukraine despite Western military support for Kyiv.
The White House has not yet responded to Putin’s remarks.
Praise for Trump’s Peace Talks
In contrast to his warnings to Washington, Putin struck a conciliatory note towards U.S. President Donald Trump, describing their August summit in Alaska as “productive.”
“It was good that we made an attempt to search for and find possible ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis,” he said, adding that he felt “comfortable” during the discussions with Trump.
The Russian leader emphasized shared interests with the U.S., particularly nuclear arms control, signaling a willingness to pursue dialogue even amid escalating military tensions.
Strong Warning Over Russian Oil Tankers
Putin also issued a stern warning to Western allies over attempts to seize Russian oil tankers operating on the global market.
Arguing that such actions would amount to “piracy,” he warned they could provoke a “forceful response” from Moscow while destabilizing global energy supplies.
The comments followed the detention of a Russian-linked tanker off France’s Atlantic coast, which French President Emmanuel Macron tied to Russia’s “shadow fleet” of aging ships evading sanctions. Putin dismissed Macron’s justification, calling it a distraction from France’s “internal problems.”
“The risk of confrontation will seriously increase if the West continues such actions,” he warned.
Dismissal of Drone Allegations
The Russian president brushed aside Western claims of Russian involvement in drone flights over Denmark, suggesting NATO was using the incidents to stoke fear and justify higher defense spending.
“I won’t do it anymore — to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon — wherever they could reach,” Putin said with a sardonic grin, mocking the allegations.
Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
When asked about the assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Putin condemned it as a “heinous crime” and pointed to it as evidence of a “deep split in American society.”
He described Kirk as a “hero” who promoted conservative values aligned with Russia’s worldview.
Tribute to Michael Gloss, American Killed Fighting for Russia
Putin also praised Michael Gloss, the son of a deputy CIA chief, who joined the Russian military and was killed in Ukraine in 2024.
Putin revealed that he posthumously awarded Gloss a medal, which was presented to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff during his Moscow visit.
“He gave his life while defending those values as a Russian soldier, and Kirk gave his life while fighting for the same values in the United States,” Putin said, likening Gloss’s sacrifice to Kirk’s.
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In a statement, the CIA said: “We consider Michael’s passing to be a private family matter — and not a national security issue. The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss.”
Balancing Threats and Diplomacy
Putin’s Sochi remarks combined harsh warnings with selective praise. While threatening retaliation against U.S. weapons supplies and Western actions against Russian oil, he emphasized his personal rapport with Trump and openness to dialogue.
This dual messaging highlights Moscow’s strategy of blending confrontation with selective cooperation as the Ukraine war grinds on.
