Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the possible delivery of U.S. long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would represent a “new escalation” in relations between Moscow and Washington.
Speaking at a forum in Sochi, Putin stressed that the use of Tomahawk missiles is not possible without the direct involvement of U.S. military personnel, warning that such a move would dramatically worsen tensions between the two powers.
“The use of Tomahawks is impossible without direct participation of U.S. military personnel. This would mean a new escalation, particularly in relations between Russia and the United States,” Putin stated.
The warning comes as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance recently confirmed that Washington is considering selling Tomahawk missiles to European allies, who could then transfer them to Ukraine as part of ongoing military support against Russia’s invasion.
The Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned that Western military assistance to Kyiv — especially involving long-range weaponry — risks expanding the conflict and bringing Russia into more direct confrontation with NATO members.
This latest development underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Russia relations, already strained by the war in Ukraine, sanctions, and growing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.
