Putin praises Trump however warns provides of U.S. long-range missile to Ukraine will badly harm ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States that provides of long-range missiles to Ukraine will critically harm relations between Moscow and Washington however is not going to change the scenario on the battlefield the place the Russian military is making sluggish however regular advances.

The potential provide of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv will sign a “qualitatively new stage of escalation, together with in relations between Russia and the US,” Putin stated at a discussion board of international coverage consultants in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The Russian chief famous that despite the fact that Tomahawk missiles will inflict harm on Russia if equipped to Ukraine, Russian air defences will rapidly adapt to the brand new menace. “It will definitely not change the steadiness of power on the battlefield,” he added, emphasising that the Russian army is constantly making beneficial properties in opposition to Ukraine.

The White House didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon Putin’s remarks.

At the identical time, Mr. Putin hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to assist negotiate peace in Ukraine and described their August summit in Alaska as productive.

“It was good that we made an try and seek for and discover doable methods to settle the Ukrainian disaster,” he stated, including that he felt “comfy” speaking to Mr. Trump.

While praising Mr. Trump and attempting to emphasize potential frequent pursuits, together with nuclear arms management, the Russian President despatched a stern warning to Ukraine’s Western allies in opposition to attempting to grab ships that carry Russian oil to world markers. He argued that might quantity to piracy and will set off a forceful response whereas sharply destabilising the worldwide oil market.

Asked in regards to the detention of an oil tanker off France’s Atlantic coast, which President Emmanuel Macron linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of ageing tankers of unsure possession which might be avoiding Western sanctions, Mr. Putin forged it as an try by Macron to distract public consideration from his nation’s personal inner issues.

He strongly warned the West in opposition to such motion, arguing that it defies worldwide maritime regulation and will set off a forceful response. “The threat of confrontation will critically enhance,” he added.

Mr. Putin additionally scoffed at Western claims of doable Russian involvement in current drone flights over Denmark, casting them as a part of purported NATO efforts to “inflame tensions to spice up the protection spending.” “I will not do it anymore — to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon — wherever they might attain,” he stated with a sardonic grin.

Asked about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Putin referred to as it a “heinous crime” that mirrored a “deep cut up” in American society. He hailed Kirk as a hero killed for selling the identical conservative values that Russia shares.

Mr. Putin additionally praised Michael Gloss, an American and the son of a deputy CIA chief, who joined the Russian army and was killed in motion in Ukraine in 2024. He stated he had awarded Gloss with a medal, which he handed to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff throughout his go to to Moscow.

The Russian chief likened Gloss to Kirk, saying they championed comparable “conventional” values. “He gave his life whereas defending these values as a Russian soldier, and Kirk gave his life whereas preventing for a similar values within the United States,” Mr. Putin stated.

In response to questions on Gloss, the CIA stated in an announcement that the company “considers Michael’s passing to be a non-public household matter — and never a nationwide safety challenge. The complete CIA household is heartbroken for his or her loss.”