Putin Praises Trump but Warns U.S. Long-Range Missile Supplies to Ukraine Could Severely Damage Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that delivering long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would cause serious damage to Moscow-Washington relations, even though it would not alter the war’s outcome. Speaking at an international policy forum in Sochi, the Russian leader said such a move would represent a “new stage of escalation” and would not go unanswered.
Putin Warns of “New Escalation” Over U.S. Missiles
Putin told foreign policy experts that sending Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv would “seriously worsen relations between Russia and the U.S.” and mark a dangerous turning point. While acknowledging the missiles could inflict damage, he insisted Russia’s air defense systems would adapt quickly and neutralize most of the threat.
“It will certainly not change the balance of power on the battlefield,” Putin declared, emphasizing that Russian troops are continuing to make “steady and confident advances” against Ukrainian forces.
Responding to Trump’s “Paper Tiger” Remark
When asked about Donald Trump’s recent dismissal of Russia as a “paper tiger” for failing to defeat its smaller neighbor after more than three and a half years of war, Putin fired back sharply.
“We are fighting the entire NATO bloc supporting Kyiv,” he said. “We keep moving forward, we feel confident — and if we are a ‘paper tiger,’ then what is NATO? A paper tiger too? Go and deal with this paper tiger then.”
The White House has not yet commented on Putin’s remarks.
Putin Hails His Alaska Summit With Trump
Despite his harsh warning to Washington, Putin also took a more conciliatory tone when speaking about U.S. President Donald Trump. He described their August summit in Alaska as “productive” and said he appreciated Trump’s effort to explore possible peace solutions for Ukraine.
“It was good that we tried to find paths to end the Ukrainian crisis,” Putin said, adding that he felt “comfortable” in direct discussions with Trump.
Putin reaffirmed that Russia remains open to extending the New START nuclear arms treaty, the last remaining arms control pact between the two nations, set to expire in February. The treaty limits each side to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.
“If they don’t need it, we don’t need it either,” Putin stated. “We are confident in our nuclear shield.”
Warning the West Over “Piracy” in Oil Markets
Putin also issued a stern warning to Western nations over attempts to seize Russian oil tankers operating under what European officials call Moscow’s “shadow fleet.” He argued that any effort to detain Russian oil shipments under sanctions would be considered “piracy” and could provoke a military response.
“It’s piracy, plain and simple,” Putin warned. “And how do you deal with pirates? You destroy them.”
He pointed to the recent detention of a Russian-linked tanker off the coast of France, which President Emmanuel Macron described as part of a network evading sanctions. Putin dismissed Macron’s comments as political theater, accusing him of using the issue to distract from France’s domestic troubles. With a smirk, he likened Macron to Napoleon, mocking his perceived ambitions on the world stage.
Dismissing Drone Allegations as NATO Propaganda
Addressing recent drone incursions over several European countries, Putin denied Western allegations of Russian involvement. He claimed the reports were part of a NATO campaign to “inflame public fear and justify higher defense spending.”
Over the past month, Poland, Estonia, and Denmark have all reported drone intrusions, some allegedly originating from Russia. In response, European defense ministers announced plans to create a “drone wall” — an integrated early-warning and interception system along their borders.
Putin brushed off these developments as “nonsense,” accusing Western governments of using such claims to divert attention from internal political and economic challenges.
“We are closely watching the militarization of Europe,” Putin said. “If it goes beyond talk, Russia will take countermeasures — and no one should doubt that our response will be swift.”
Putin on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: “A Heinous Crime”
During the forum, Putin was also asked about the assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling it a “heinous crime” that reflected what he described as a “deep division within U.S. society.”
He praised Kirk as a “brave defender of traditional values,” aligning those values with what the Kremlin promotes domestically. Putin drew a symbolic connection between Kirk and Michael Gloss, an American who joined the Russian military and was killed in Ukraine in 2024.
“Michael Gloss gave his life defending these values as a Russian soldier, and Charlie Kirk gave his life promoting them in the United States,” Putin said. He added that Gloss had been posthumously awarded a Russian military medal, presented to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff during a visit to Moscow.
The CIA, commenting on Gloss’s death, described it as a “private family matter, not a national security issue,” expressing condolences to his family.
A Moment of Confusion During the Forum
At one point in the four-hour televised session, Putin — a former KGB officer and ex-head of Russia’s main domestic security agency — appeared to misspeak when recounting a past meeting with President George W. Bush. He accidentally referred to himself as “the CIA director,” drawing laughter from the audience before quickly correcting the slip.
A Calculated Message to Washington
Putin’s appearance in Sochi underscored his strategy of combining aggressive warnings with diplomatic outreach. By praising Trump’s peace efforts while threatening “severe consequences” over U.S. missile supplies, he positioned Russia as open to negotiation — but ready for confrontation if necessary.
Analysts say the message was aimed squarely at Washington: Putin wants to reframe the conflict not as a war with Ukraine, but as a broader confrontation with NATO and the United States. His warning about Tomahawk missiles is both a deterrent and a signal — that while Moscow may respect Trump’s diplomatic overtures, it will not tolerate deeper American involvement on the battlefield.
Whether Washington proceeds with supplying long-range missiles to Kyiv may determine the next phase of the war — and the future of U.S.-Russia relations.