Putin warns of escalation if US supplies Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin Be careful not to a long -range missile supply to Ukraine, “a completely new phase of escalation” between Washington and Moscow.

Speaking on Thursday at a forum at the Black Sochi Resort in Russia, Putin admitted that the “strong” missile supplies from Tomahawk Cruise to Kyiv pose a threat to Russia, but it will not change the situation in the battlefield.

Putin said, according to NBC translation: “Can Tomahawks harm us?

“The use of Tomahax without direct participation of American military personnel is impossible. This would represent a completely new new stage of escalation between Russia and the United States.”

His comments come shortly after reporting that the United States will provide Ukraine intelligence on long -term energy infrastructure targets in the depth of Russia, a step that represents a major shift in supporting the White House Kiev.

the Wall Street Journal and ReutersCiting an unveiled US officials, both informed on Wednesday that the administration of President Donald Trump had agreed to the intelligence participation with Ukraine, while weighing whether Tomahawk Cruise missiles would be sent to Kyiv.

CNBC called the White House to comment.

Tomahawk Cruise missile supplies, which are known For a scale of at least 1500 miles (about 2,400 km), it would significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to hit Russian goals.

When asked about Trump’s recent description of Russia as “paper tigerPutin said the Russian forces “confidently” held the strategic initiative and was achieving gains in Ukraine.

“But if we are fighting the entire mass of NATO and we are advancing, and we feel confident, and it is a paper. What then from NATO himself? What does it represent?” Putin said.

The paper tiger is a term that usually indicates a powerful but ineffective power.

The US President said, in a major speech, last month, that Ukraine It can regain the lands that Russia seized.

In a post on social media, published on September 23, Trump said that his point of view came after “identification and understanding” the military and economic situation in Russia and Ukraine, with reference to what he described as the “economic problem” caused by the conflict in Moscow.

The US President has previously suggested that Ukraine would need to be open to abandon some of its lands in peace talks, which Washington has taken steps for the mediator since the beginning of Trump’s second mandate.

Russia, at the same time, is Prepare to increase taxes On business and consumers, where the government is looking for ways to support its economy, which focuses on the war after more than three and a half years of conflict.

European Union political leaders supported plans for the so -called Driver aircraft wall On the eastern side of the region, it seeks to strengthen its defenses and repel Russia after a series of incursions of airspace in recent weeks.

Their defense giants ConceptAlthough the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm has not yet submitted a plan on how to finance and operate the project.

Putin said on Thursday that the Kremlin “is closely monitoring” what he described as “the growing militarization of Europe. Is it just an empty talk, or is it time for us to take counter measures?”

Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Romania – members of the European Union and NATO on the northern and eastern side of Europe near Russia – all recently I mentioned Incarnation of airspace, which claims to involve Russian aircraft or drones.

At the same time, Genemanani, Denmark and Norway as well I mentioned Drones are not specific in the airspace in recent days, with accidents that lead to a significant disruption of airports and air movement.

Russia has previously denied that it was behind drone provocations against its European neighbors, and described them as “”Founding accusations“

Holly Eliaat of CNBC contributed to this report.