Moscow , Russia – October 5, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent an exceptionally strong message to the USA regarding the potential supply of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, declaring that such a move would lead to the destruction of the Moscow-Washington relationship and mark a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.” The stern warning comes amid reports that the US administration is actively considering Kyiv’s request for the powerful weapons, which have a range capable of striking deep into Russian territory. The escalating rhetoric puts intense pressure on President Donald Trump, who has been trying to bring an end to the conflict.

Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi and later reiterating the threat in state media, President Putin drew a clear red line over the transfer of the advanced US armaments. The Tomahawk missile, with its potential strike range of up to 2,500 kilometres, represents a significant escalation, which would bring key Russian cities and infrastructure within Ukraine’s reach.

Escalation and Imminent Ruin

Mr. Putin emphasized the gravity of the decision, stating that the supply of such long-range systems “will lead to the destruction of our relations, or at least the positive trends that have recently emerged.” He argued that the use of Tomahawk missiles by Ukraine would necessitate the direct participation of American military personnel, which would, in turn, signify a “completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States.”

The Russian leader dismissed the idea that the missiles would fundamentally alter the dynamics on the battlefield, where Russian forces claim to be making steady advances. However, his strong diplomatic reaction underscores Moscow’s serious security concerns about Kyiv acquiring the capacity to target the Russian heartland.

The Broader Message to Washington

The Tomahawk threat was part of a broader, combative foreign policy address by the Russian President. While he did offer praise to President Trump, saying the US President is “a person who can listen” and that the conflict could have been avoided had he been in power, Mr. Putin coupled this flattery with fierce defiance toward the entire Western bloc.

He retaliated against President Trump’s recent remark labelling Russia a “paper tiger” by suggesting the title might better fit the NATO alliance. “If we are comfortable being at war with the whole NATO bloc… and we are a paper tiger, then what is NATO itself?” he countered.

Furthermore, Mr. Putin took aim at other perceived Western hostile actions, including what he termed the “escalating militarisation” of Europe. He pledged a “convincing” and “significant” response to this military build-up, saying Russia could not ignore the developments for the sake of its own security. He also renewed his warning that any attempt by Western nations to interfere with or seize tankers carrying Russian oil would be considered “piracy” and could lead to a forceful military response.

The combination of the nuclear power warning and the Tomahawk red line leaves Washington and its allies navigating a dangerous diplomatic tightrope. While US officials have suggested that the transfer of Tomahawks may be unfeasible due to inventory commitments, the diplomatic fallout of even considering the request is already severely straining the US-Russia relationship.

Headline Points on the Tomahawk Warning

 * ‘Destruction of Relations’: President Putin warned the supply of US Tomahawk missiles would lead to the “destruction of our relations” with Washington.

 * Qualitatively New Escalation: Putin stated that Tomahawk use would require “direct participation of American military personnel,” triggering a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.”

 * Missile Threat: The long-range Tomahawks (up to 2,500 km) have the potential to strike deep inside Russian territory, making Moscow’s red line clear.

 * Retaliation against Europe: The Russian leader also vowed a “convincing response” to what he described as the “escalating militarisation” of Europe.

 * NATO Counter-Jibe: Mr. Putin fiercely countered President Trump’s “paper tiger” jibe by questioning the strength of the entire NATO bloc if it is fighting against a “paper tiger.”

 * Naval Piracy Warning: He also issued a stark warning that Western attempts to seize Russian oil tankers would be treated as “piracy” and met with a military response.