Putin Warns US: Supplying Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine Would Severely Damage Relations with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to the United States regarding potential supplies of long-range missiles to Ukraine, stating such action would severely damage Moscow-Washington relations while having minimal impact on battlefield dynamics where Russian forces continue to advance steadily.

Putin emphasized that providing US Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv would mark a "qualitatively new stage of escalation" in relations between Russia and the United States, speaking at a foreign policy forum in Sochi on Russia's Black Sea coast.

The Russian leader acknowledged that while Tomahawk missiles could cause damage to Russia if supplied to Ukraine, he asserted that Russian air defense systems would quickly adapt to counter this threat. "It will certainly not change the balance of force on the battlefield," Putin stated, highlighting that Russian military forces continue to make consistent gains against Ukrainian forces.

The White House did not provide an immediate response when asked to comment on Putin's statements.

Despite these warnings, Putin praised US President Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts toward peace in Ukraine and described their August summit in Alaska as constructive. "It was good that we made an attempt to search for and find possible ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis," he remarked, adding that he felt "comfortable" during discussions with Trump.

While expressing positive sentiments about Trump and emphasizing potential areas of cooperation, including nuclear arms control, Putin issued a firm warning against Western attempts to seize vessels carrying Russian oil to global markets. He characterized such actions as piracy that could provoke a forceful response and destabilize global oil markets.

Addressing the detention of an oil tanker off France's Atlantic coast, which President Emmanuel Macron connected to Russia's "shadow fleet" of aging tankers avoiding Western sanctions, Putin suggested this was Macron's attempt to divert public attention from France's domestic issues.

He strongly cautioned Western nations against similar actions, arguing they violate international maritime law and risk serious confrontation. "The risk of confrontation will seriously increase," Putin warned.

Putin dismissed Western allegations of Russian involvement in drone flights over Denmark, characterizing them as part of alleged NATO efforts to "inflame tensions to boost defense spending." With evident sarcasm, he remarked, "I won't do it anymore — to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon — wherever they could reach."

When questioned about Charlie Kirk's assassination, Putin condemned it as a "heinous crime" reflecting deep divisions in American society. He portrayed Kirk as a hero killed for advocating conservative values that Russia shares.

Putin also praised Michael Gloss, an American and son of a deputy CIA chief, who joined Russian military forces and was killed in Ukraine in 2024. Putin revealed he had awarded Gloss a medal, which was presented to Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during his Moscow visit.

The Russian leader drew parallels between Gloss and Kirk, stating they championed similar "traditional" values. "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.

In response to questions regarding Gloss, the CIA issued a statement describing Michael's passing as "a private family matter — and not a national security issue. The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss."