Putin warns against climbing if the United States provides Tomahawk missiles in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the potential supply of long -range missiles to Ukraine would mark a “brand new climbing stage” between Washington and Moscow.

Speaking Thursday during a forum in Sochi, a Russian seaside resort of the Black Sea, Putin acknowledged that the supply of “powerful” American cruise missiles Tomahawk to kyiv was a threat to Russia but would not change the situation on the battlefield.

“Can the tomahawks hurt us? They can. But we will cut them off and improve our air defense system,” said Putin, according to a translation by NBC.

“The use of Tomahawks without the direct participation of US military staff is impossible. This would mark a new, completely new stage, in the climbing between Russia and the United States,” he added.

His comments come shortly after it has been announced that the United States would provide Ukraine information on long-term energy infrastructure targets in the depths of Russia, a decision that would represent a significant change in the support of the White House in kyiv.

The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, quoting anonymous American officials, both reported on Wednesday that the administration of President Donald Trump approved information sharing with Ukraine, while thinking about the opportunity to send Tomahawk cruise missiles to kyiv.

CNBC contacted the White House for Comments.

The provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which we know have a range of at least 1,500 miles (approximately 2,400 kilometers), would considerably strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to strike Russian targets.

Asked about the recent qualification of Russia by Trump of “paper tiger”, Putin said that Russian troops “confidently” held the strategic initiative and made progress in Ukraine.

“But if we fight the entire NATO block and we are advancing with confidence, and that it is a tiger of paper. What about NATO itself? What does it represent?” Putin said.

A paper tiger is a term that generally refers to a force that seems powerful but ineffective.

The American president, in a major rhetorical change, also said last month that Ukraine could resume the territory conquered by Russia.

In an article published on social networks on September 23, Trump said that his point of view had come after “getting to know and fully understand” the military and economic situation of Russia and Ukraine, stressing what he described as the “economic disorders” that the conflict causes Moscow.

The American president previously suggested that Ukraine should be willing to sell part of its territory in the context of peace talks, which Washington has taken measures to negotiate since the start of Trump’s second term.

Russia, on the other hand, is preparing to increase the taxes of companies and consumers while the government seeks means of supporting its economy focused on war after more than three and a half years of conflict.

Political leaders of the European Union supported the project of a drone wall on the eastern flank on Wednesday, with the aim of strengthening its defenses and pushing Russia after a series of incursions in air space in recent weeks.

Defense giants have favorably welcomed the concept, even if the European Commission, the EU executive body, has not yet developed a plan on how to finance and exploit the project.

Putin said Thursday that the Kremlin “watched closely” what he described as “the growing militarization of Europe. Is it simply empty words of meaning or is it time for us to take countermeasures?

Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Romania – EU and NATO members located on the northern and east flanks, close to Russia – have recently reported incursions in the airspace, allegedly involving jet reaction or Russian drones.

Germany, Denmark and Norway have also reported in recent days the presence of unidentified drones in their airspace, these incidents that caused significant disruptions in airports and air traffic.

Russia previously denied being at the origin of drone provocations against its European neighbors, describing them as “unfounded accusations”.

– Holly Ellyatt of CNBC contributed to this report.